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Solar Radiation Exposure and Outdoor Work: An Underestimated Occupational Risk

Author

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  • Alberto Modenese

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy)

  • Leena Korpinen

    (Clinical Physiology and Neurophysiology Unit, The North Karelia Central Hospital, 80210 Joensuu, Finland)

  • Fabriziomaria Gobba

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy)

Abstract

A considerably high number of outdoor workers worldwide are constantly exposed for the majority of their working life to solar radiation (SR); this exposure is known to induce various adverse health effects, mainly related to its ultraviolet (UV) component. The skin and the eye are the principal target organs for both acute and long-term exposure. Actinic keratosis, non-melanoma skin cancers, and malignant melanoma are the main long-term adverse skin effects, whereas in the eye pterygium, cataracts, and according to an increasing body of evidence, macular degeneration may be induced. Despite this, SR exposure risk is currently undervalued, if not neglected, as an occupational risk factor for outdoor workers. SR exposure is influenced by various environmental and individual factors, and occupation is one of the most relevant. For a better understanding of this risk and for the development of more effective prevention strategies, one of the main problems is the lack of available and adequate methods to estimate SR worker exposure, especially long-term exposure. The main aims of this review were to provide a comprehensive overview of SR exposure risk of outdoor workers, including the UV exposure levels and the main methods recently proposed for short-term and cumulative exposure, and to provide an update of knowledge on the main adverse eye and skin effects. Finally, we also outline here preventive interventions to reduce occupational risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Modenese & Leena Korpinen & Fabriziomaria Gobba, 2018. "Solar Radiation Exposure and Outdoor Work: An Underestimated Occupational Risk," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-24, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:10:p:2063-:d:171004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alberto Modenese & Fabriziomaria Gobba, 2017. "Occupational Exposure to Solar Radiation at Different Latitudes and Pterygium: A Systematic Review of the Last 10 Years of Scientific Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Fabriziomaria Gobba & Enrico Dall’Olio & Alberto Modenese & Michele De Maria & Luca Campi & Gian Maria Cavallini, 2017. "Work-Related Eye Injuries: A Relevant Health Problem. Main Epidemiological Data from a Highly-Industrialized Area of Northern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Kim, Jaehoon & Kim, Sangsin, 2015. "2012년 국회법 개정의 효과 연구 [A Study on the Effect of the 2012 National Assembly Act Amendment]," KDI Research Monographs, Korea Development Institute (KDI), volume 127, number v:2015-03(k):y:2015:p:1-1.
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    1. Carlo Grandi & Maria Concetta D’Ovidio, 2020. "Balance between Health Risks and Benefits for Outdoor Workers Exposed to Solar Radiation: An Overview on the Role of Near Infrared Radiation Alone and in Combination with Other Solar Spectral Bands," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-20, February.
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    10. Soyeon Ahn & Laura A. McClure & Paulo S. Pinheiro & Diana Hernandez & Devina J. Boga & Henna Ukani & Jennifer V. Chavez & Jorge A. Quintela Fernandez & Alberto J. Caban-Martinez & Erin Kobetz & David , 2024. "Methodological and Practical Challenges in Synthesizing Occupational Cancer Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-12, June.
    11. Chiara Burattini & Massimo Borra & Flavia Vespasiano & Fabio Bisegna, 2024. "UV Solar Energy and Erythemal Exposure: Mathematical Models to Assess the Dose on Vertical and Inclined Planes in Different Sky Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-23, November.
    12. Friedo Zölzer & Stefan Bauer, 2021. "Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Risk Estimates—A Comparison of Different Action Spectra and Detector Responsivities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-18, May.

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