Potential solar UVR exposure health risks in South Africa

Abstract

The detrimental effects of excess personal solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure include wrinkles, immunosuppression and skin cancer. Approximately 1 000 South Africans die each year from melanoma skin cancer and 30% of all histologically-diagnosed cancers are skin cancers, including the non-fatal non-melanoma skin cancers. Individuals with minimum natural protection from melanin, including fair skinned individuals, albinos and people spending extended periods outdoors and unprotected, are at risk. In South Africa, research has focused on analyzing ambient UVR data, UVR modelling and personal exposure patterns. Personal sun behaviour and UVR exposure patterns were analysed among a sample of Durban schoolchildren in 2001. Children received about 5% of the total daily ambient UVR and activity was the most important influencing factor. However, no publicly available research has been carried out in the past 5 years. In a rudimentary exercise, monitored ambient solar UVR levels for Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town were converted into possible child and outdoor worker exposures using the reported 5% and 20% of the total daily ambient solar UVR, respectively. Results suggest that children and outdoor workers continue to be at risk, depending on skin type, sun protection, timing and duration of exposure, and activity. Information on South African sun behavioural patterns is needed to better quantify exposure risk. Future accurate, reliable research will only be achieved when such issues are resolved and a holistic research approach may then be applied.