Solar ultraviolet radiation exposure and sun protection behaviors and knowledge among a high‐risk and overlooked group of outdoor workers in South Africa

Abstract

The exposure of outdoor car guards to solar ultraviolet radi- ation (UVR), the majority with deeply pigmented skin, to solar UVR was measured for fi ve consecutive days during early spring (September 2017) in South Africa using elec- tronic UVR dosimeters attached to the upper arm of each participant. The exposure of the nape of the neck, forehead, nose, cheek and hand was extrapolated from the measure- ments. The onsite ambient solar UVR on a fl at, horizontal, unshaded surface was measured concurrently. The sun- related knowledge, behavior and attitudes of the car guards were evaluated using questionnaires. Total personal daily solar UVR exposure as a percentage of the ambient solar UVR exposure was 24%. The exposure of car guards on sev- eral body sites was in excess of the occupational threshold limit value. Sleeved shirts and hats were the most commonly used sun protection measures (worn by 70% and 80%, respectively). Considering the high levels of solar UVR reported on most days throughout the year in South Africa, more studies quantifying the personal exposure of out- door workers in both the informal and formal sectors are necessary