Solar ultraviolet radiation exposure of protection officers at a South African university

Abstract

Introduction Security guards face heightened risks of solar UVR exposure due to the predominantly outdoor nature of their work. The elevated ambient solar UVR levels in South Africa, particularly at the latitude of the study location in Potchefstroom, increase the likelihood of security guards experiencing various negative health effects associated with solar UVR exposure, ranging from sunburn to skin cancer. This study aimed to assess the personal solar UVR exposure on different anatomical areas, as well as the objective skin colour of participants, including constitutive and facultative skin. Additionally, the study investigated the behaviours and sun-related knowledge of security guards through a questionnaire and evaluated the protective capabilities of their uniform shirts. Method Polysulphone film (PSF) badges were placed on the vertex-, on the shoulder-, under the uniform shirt and on the forearm of security guards working at a university in South Africa, North West Province, Potchefstroom, to measure solar UVR. Solar UVR exposure was monitored for eight days during both summer and winter seasons. A skin colorimeter was used to measure the Individual Topological Angle (°ITA) of facultative and constitutive skin colour of the participant group. Results The vertex (top of the head) showed the highest exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) during both summer (average = 1.869 J/m2) and winter (average = 1.481 J/m2). Significant differences in exposure levels were observed among various anatomical areas during both seasons, except for the forearm and under the shirt exposure during winter. Type IV (tan) was the most common constitutive skin colour, while Type V (brown) and Type VI (dark) were the predominant facultative skin colours. Only 18% of participants were familiar with what solar UVR is, while 50% reported wearing hats "sometimes" and 39% "always," indicating a need for enhanced knowledge and practices concerning sun protection. On average, uniform shirts blocked 34% of solar UVR during summer and 5% during winter, indicating that they offer some protection against solar UVR exposure for participants. Conclusion Security guards do not receive high levels of solar UVR exposure. It is possibly due to security guards working in shaded areas such as security booths and awnings. Most security guards had constitutive skin that classified as tan or Type IV according to °ITA measurements.