The wavelengths in sunlight effective in producing skin cancer: a theoretical analysis.

DNA is taken as the target for skin cancer induced by ultraviolet light, and the known data on the sensitivity of DNA as a function of wavelength are summarized. The sun's spectrum at the surface of the earth and the DNA action spectrum are used to calculate the carcinogenic effectiveness as a function of wavelength. The most effective wavelengths at 30 degrees N latitude are <305 nm, and a 1% change in atmospheric ozone results in a 2% change in the effective dose of ultraviolet light. Since both the basic biological and physical data are reasonably precise, the major requirement for a quantitative evaluation of the dose response relation for ultraviolet-induced skin cancer in man is better epidemiological data to compare with data from animal models.