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Is Multidirectional UV Exposure Responsible for Increasing Melanoma Prevalence with Altitude? A Hypothesis Based on Calculations with a 3D-Human Exposure Model

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Schrempf

    (Institute of Meteorology and Climatology, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover 30419, Germany)

  • Daniela Haluza

    (Institute of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria)

  • Stana Simic

    (Institute of Meteorology, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna 1190, Austria)

  • Stefan Riechelmann

    (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig 38116, Germany)

  • Kathrin Graw

    (Deutscher Wetterdienst, Offenbach 63067, Germany)

  • Gunther Seckmeyer

    (Institute of Meteorology and Climatology, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover 30419, Germany)

Abstract

In a recent study, melanoma incidence rates for Austrian inhabitants living at higher altitudes were found to increase by as much as 30% per 100 m altitude. This strong increase cannot simply be explained by the known increase of erythemally-weighted irradiance with altitude, which ranges between 0.5% and 4% per 100 m. We assume that the discrepancy is partially explainable by upwelling UV radiation; e.g., reflected by snow-covered surfaces. Therefore, we present an approach where the human UV exposure is derived by integrating incident radiation over the 3D geometry of a human body, which enables us to take upwelling radiation into account. Calculating upwelling and downwelling radiance with a radiative transfer model for a snow-free valley and for snow-covered mountain terrain (with albedo of 0.6) yields an increase in UV exposure by 10% per 100 m altitude. The results imply that upwelling radiation plays a significant role in the increase of melanoma incidence with altitude.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Schrempf & Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Stefan Riechelmann & Kathrin Graw & Gunther Seckmeyer, 2016. "Is Multidirectional UV Exposure Responsible for Increasing Melanoma Prevalence with Altitude? A Hypothesis Based on Calculations with a 3D-Human Exposure Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:10:p:961-:d:79317
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Jan Höltge & Renate Cervinka & Hanns Moshammer, 2014. "Connectedness to Nature and Public (Skin) Health Perspectives: Results of a Representative, Population-Based Survey among Austrian Residents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Hanns Moshammer, 2014. "Temporal and Spatial Melanoma Trends in Austria: An Ecological Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.
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