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UV-Radiation: From Physics to Impacts

Author

Listed:
  • Hanns Moshammer

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

  • Stana Simic

    (Institute for Meteorology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna 1180, Austria)

  • Daniela Haluza

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

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has affected life at least since the first life forms moved out of the seas and crawled onto the land. Therefore, one might assume that evolution has adapted to natural UV radiation. However, evolution is mostly concerned with the propagation of the genetic code, not with a long, happy, and fulfilling life. Because rickets is bad for a woman giving birth, the beneficial effects of UV-radiation outweigh the adverse effects like aged skin and skin tumors of various grades of malignancy that usually only afflict us at older age. Anthropogenic damage to the stratospheric ozone layer and frighteningly high rates of melanoma skin cancer in the light-skinned descendants of British settlers in Australia piqued interest in the health impacts of UV radiation. A changing cultural perception of the beauty of tanned versus light skin and commercial interests in selling UV-emitting devices such as tanning booths caught public health experts off-guard. Counseling and health communication are extremely difficult when dealing with a “natural” risk factor, especially when this risk factor cannot (and should not) be completely avoided. How much is too much for whom or for which skin type? How even measure “much”? Is it the (cumulative) dose or the dose rate that matters most? Or should we even construct a more complex metric such as the cumulative dose above a certain dose rate threshold? We find there are still many open questions, and we are glad that this special issue offered us the opportunity to present many interesting aspects of this important topic.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanns Moshammer & Stana Simic & Daniela Haluza, 2017. "UV-Radiation: From Physics to Impacts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-5, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:2:p:200-:d:90705
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marvin Langston & Leslie Dennis & Charles Lynch & Denise Roe & Heidi Brown, 2017. "Temporal Trends in Satellite-Derived Erythemal UVB and Implications for Ambient Sun Exposure Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-14, February.
    2. 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.
    3. Naomi Fleury & Sian Geldenhuys & Shelley Gorman, 2016. "Sun Exposure and Its Effects on Human Health: Mechanisms through Which Sun Exposure Could Reduce the Risk of Developing Obesity and Cardiometabolic Dysfunction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Cem Ekmekcioglu & Daniela Haluza & Michael Kundi, 2017. "25-Hydroxyvitamin D Status and Risk for Colorectal Cancer and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-26, January.
    5. Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Hanns Moshammer, 2016. "Sun Exposure Prevalence and Associated Skin Health Habits: Results from the Austrian Population-Based UVSkinRisk Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, January.
    6. 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.
    7. Olaf Gefeller & Wolfgang Uter & Annette B. Pfahlberg, 2016. "Protection from Ultraviolet Radiation during Childhood: The Parental Perspective in Bavaria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-11, October.
    8. Chunxiao Su & Josephine Lau & Fang Yu, 2017. "A Case Study of Upper-Room UVGI in Densely-Occupied Elementary Classrooms by Real-Time Fluorescent Bioaerosol Measurements," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, January.
    9. Christian Trummer & Marlene Pandis & Nicolas Verheyen & Martin R. Grübler & Martin Gaksch & Barbara Obermayer-Pietsch & Andreas Tomaschitz & Thomas R. Pieber & Stefan Pilz & Verena Schwetz, 2016. "Beneficial Effects of UV-Radiation: Vitamin D and beyond," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-16, October.
    10. Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Hanns Moshammer, 2016. "Sunbed Use Prevalence and Associated Skin Health Habits: Results of a Representative, Population-Based Survey among Austrian Residents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-13, February.
    11. Daniela Haluza & Markus Schwab & Stana Simic & Renate Cervinka & Hanns Moshammer, 2015. "Perceived Relevance of Educative Information on Public (Skin) Health: Results of a Representative, Population-Based Telephone Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-15, November.
    12. Gabriele Messina & Mattia Fattorini & Nicola Nante & Daniele Rosadini & Andrea Serafini & Marco Tani & Gabriele Cevenini, 2016. "Time Effectiveness of Ultraviolet C Light (UVC) Emitted by Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in Reducing Stethoscope Contamination," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-8, September.
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