Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The angular distributions of ultraviolet spectral irradiance at different solar elevation angles under clear sky conditions

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Biometeorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To investigate the angular distributions of UVA, UVB, and effective UV for erythema and vitamin D (vitD) synthesis, the UV spectral irradiances were measured at ten inclined angles (from 0° to 90°) and seven azimuths (from 0° to 180°) at solar elevation angle (SEA) that ranged from 18.8° to 80° in Shanghai (31.22° N, 121.55° E) under clear sky and the albedo of ground was 0.1. The results demonstrated that in the mean azimuths and with the back to the sun, the UVA, UVB, and erythemally and vitD-weighted irradiances increased with the inclined angles and an increase in SEA. When facing toward the sun at 0°–60° inclined angles, the UVA first increased and then decreased with an increase in SEA; at other inclined angles, the UVA increased with SEA. At 0°–40° inclined angles, the UVB and erythemally and vitD-weighted irradiances first increased and then decreased with an increase in SEA, and their maximums were achieved at SEA 68.7°; at other inclined angles, the above three irradiances increased with an increase in SEA. The maximum UVA, UVB, and erythemally and vitD-weighted irradiances were achieved at an 80° inclined angle at SEA 80° (the highest in our measurements); the cumulative exposure of the half day achieved the maximum at a 60° inclined angle, but not on the horizontal. This study provides support for the assessment of human skin sun exposure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baczynska KA, Pearson AJ, O’Hagan JB, Heydenreich J (2013) Effect of altitude on solar UVR and spectral and spatial variations of UV irradiances measured in Wagrain, Austria in winter. Radiat Prot Dosim 154:497–504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basher (1989) Perspectives on monitoring ozone and solar ultraviolet radiation. Trans Menzies Found 15:81–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Bird CR (1986) Simple solar spectral model for direct and diffuse irradiance on horizontal and tilted planes at the earth’s surface for cloudless atmospheres. J Clim Appl Meteorol 25:87–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casale GR, Siani AM, Diemoz H, Kimlin MG, Colosimo A (2012) Applicability of the polysulphone horizontal calibration to differently inclined dosimeters. Photochem Photobiol 88:207–214

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CIE (2006) Action spectrum for the production of previtamin D3 in human skin. Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) 174 Central Bureau, Vienna, Austria 1-18

  • de Gruijl FR (1999) Skin cancer and solar UV radiation. Eur J Cancer 35:2003–2009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Downs N, Parisi A (2009) Measurements of the anatomical distribution of erythemal ultraviolet: a study comparing exposure distribution to the site incidence of solar keratoses, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Photochem Photobiol Sci 8:1195–1201

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Downs N, Parisi A (2012) Mean exposure fractions of human body solar UV exposure patterns for application in different ambient climates. Photochem Photobiol 88:223–226

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Esteve AR, Marin MJ, Martinez-Lozano JA, Tena F, Utrillas MP, Canada J (2006) UV index on tilted surfaces. Photochem Photobiol 82:1047–1052

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher RP, Lee TK (2006) Adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation: a brief review. Prog Biophys Mol Biol 92:119–131

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao N, Hu LW, Gao Q, Ge TT, Wang F, Chu C, Yang H, Liu Y (2012) Diurnal variation of ocular exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation based on data from a manikin head. Photochem Photobiol 88:736–743

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu LW, Gao Q, Xu WY, Wang Y, Gong HZ, Dong GQ, Li JH, Liu Y (2010a) Diurnal variations in solar ultraviolet radiation at typical anatomical sites. Biomed Environ Sci 23:234–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu LW, Gong HZ, Yu DJ, Gao Q, Gao N, Wang M, Yan Y, Wang Y, Yu JM, Liu Y (2010b) Diurnal variations in solar ultraviolet radiation on horizontal and vertical plane. Iran J Publ Health 39:70–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu LW, Gao Q, Gao N, Liu G, Wang Y, Gong H, Liu Y (2013) Solar UV exposure at eye is different from environmental UV: diurnal monitoring at different rotation angles using a manikin. J Occup Environ Hyg 10:17–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ICNIRP (2004) Guidelines on limits of exposure to ultraviolet radiation of wavelengths between 180 nm and 400 nm (incoherent optical radiation). Health Phys 87:171–186

  • Ireland W, Sacher R (1996) The angular distribution of solar ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared radiation from cloudless skies. Photochem Photobiol 63:483–486

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kimlin MG, Martinez N, Green AC, Whiteman DC (2006) Anatomical distribution of solar ultraviolet exposures among cyclists. J Photochem Photobiol B 85:23–27

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kubaha K, Fiala D, Toftum J, Taki AH (2004) Human projected area factors for detailed direct and diffuse solar radiation analysis. Int J Biometeorol 49:113–129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luscombe CJ, Fryer AA, French ME, Liu S, Saxby MF, Jones PW, Strange RC (2001) Exposure to ultraviolet radiation: association with susceptibility and age at presentation with prostate cancer. Lancet 358:641–642

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie R, Smale D, Kotkamp M (2004) Relationship between UVB and erythemally weighted radiation. Photochem Photobiol Sci 3:252–256

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miyauchi M, Hirai C, Nakajima H (2013) The solar exposure time required for vitamin D3 synthesis in the human body estimated by numerical simulation and observation in Japan. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 59:257–263

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moan J, Porojnicu AC, Dahlback A, Setlow RB (2008) Addressing the health benefits and risks, involving vitamin D or skin cancer, of increased sun exposure. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105:668–673

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Navntoft LC, Fernandez-Ibanez P, Garreta F (2012) UV solar radiation on a tilted and horizontal plane: analysis and comparison of 4 years of measurements. Sol Energy 86:307–318

  • Oppenrieder A, Hoeppe P, Koepke P (2004) Routine measurement of erythemally effective UV irradiance on inclined surfaces. J Photochem Photobiol B-Biol 74:85–94

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oppenrieder A, Hoppe P, Koepke P, Reuder J (2005) Long term measurements of the UV irrandiance of inclined surfaces and visualization of UV exposure of the human body. Meteorol Z 14:285–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parisi AV, Kimlin MG (1999) Horizontal and sun-normal spectral biologically effective ultraviolet irradiances. J Photochem Photobiol B 53:70–74

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parisi AV, Kimlin MG, Lester R, Turnbull D (2003) Lower body anatomical distribution of solar ultraviolet radiation on the human form in standing and sitting postures. J Photochem Photobiol B 69:1–6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park S, Tuller SE (2011) Human body area factors for radiation exchange analysis: standing and walking postures. Int J Biometeorol 55:695–709

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pope SJ, Godar DE (2010) Solar UV geometric conversion factors: horizontal plane to cylinder model. Photochem Photobiol 86:457–466

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rigel DS (2008) Cutaneous ultraviolet exposure and its relationship to the development of skin cancer. J Am Acad Dermatol 58:S129–S132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandmann H, Stick C (2013) Spectral and spatial UV sky radiance measurements at a seaside resort under clear sky and slightly overcast conditions. Photochem Photobiol 90:225–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sasaki H, Sakamoto Y, Schnider C, Fujita N, Hatsusaka N, Sliney DH, Sasaki K (2011) UV-B exposure to the eye depending on solar altitude. Eye Contact Lens-Sci Clin Pract 37:191–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schauberger G (1990) Model for the global irradiance of the solar biologically-effective ultraviolet-radiation on inclined surfaces. Photochem Photobiol 52:1029–1032

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmalwieser AW, Cabaj A, Schauberger G, Rohn H, Maier B, Maier H (2010) Facial solar UV exposure of Austrian farmers during occupation. Photochem Photobiol 86:1404–1413

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schouten P, Parisi AV (2011) Direct comparison between the angular distributions of the erythemal and eye-damaging UV irradiances: a pilot study. J Photochem Photobiol B 102:146–155

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seckmeyer G, Schrempf M, Wieczorek A, Riechelmann S, Graw K, Seckmeyer S, Zankl M (2013) A novel method to calculate solar UV exposure relevant to vitamin D production in humans. Photochem Photobiol 89:974–983

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Serrano D, Marin MJ, Utrillas MP, Tena F, Martinez-Lozano JA (2012) Modelling of the UV index on vertical and 40 degrees tilted planes for different orientations. Photochem Photobiol Sci 11:333–344

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sobolewski P, Krzyscin JW, Jaroslawski J, Stebel K (2008) Measurements of UV radiation on rotating vertical plane at the ALOMAR Observatory (69 degrees N, 16 degrees E), Norway, June 2007. Atmos Chem Phys 8:3033–3043

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Turner J, Parisi AV, Turnbull DJ (2008) Reflected solar radiation from horizontal, vertical and inclined surfaces: ultraviolet and visible spectral and broadband behaviour due to solar zenith angle, orientation and surface type. J Photochem Photobiol B 92:29–37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Utrillas MP, Marin MJ, Esteve AR, Estelles V, Tena F, Canada J, Martinez-Lozano JA (2009) Diffuse ultraviolet erythemal irradiance on inclined planes: a comparison of experimental and modeled data. Photochem Photobiol 85:1245–1253

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vernez D, Milon A, Francioli L, Bulliard JL, Vuilleumier L, Moccozet L (2011) A numeric model to simulate solar individual ultraviolet exposure. Photochem Photobiol 87:721–728

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vernez D, Milon A, Vuilleumier L, Bulliard JL (2012) Anatomical exposure patterns of skin to sunlight: relative contributions of direct, diffuse and reflected ultraviolet radiation. Br J Dermatol 167:383–390

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Webb AR, Weihs P, Blumthaler M (1999) Spectral UV irradiance on vertical surfaces: a case study. Photochem Photobiol 69:464–470

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Webb AR, Slaper H, Koepke P, Schmalwieser AW (2011) Know your standard: clarifying the CIE erythema action spectrum. Photochem Photobiol 87:483–486

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weihs P (2002) Influence of ground reflectivity and topography on erythemal UV radiation on inclined planes. Int J Biometeorol 46:95–104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weihs P, Schmalwieser A, Reinisch C, Meraner E, Walisch S, Harald M (2013) Measurements of personal UV exposure on different parts of the body during various activities. Photochem Photobiol 89:1004–1007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wright C, Diab R, Martincigh B (2004) Anatomical distribution of ultraviolet solar radiation. S Afr J Sci 100:498–500

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health, School fo Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China

    Yan Liu, LiWen Hu, Fang Wang, YanYan Gao, Yang Zheng, Yu Wang & Yang Liu

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, China Medical University, Shenyang, China

    Yan Liu

Authors
  1. Yan Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. LiWen Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fang Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. YanYan Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yang Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yu Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yang Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yang Liu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, Y., Hu, L., Wang, F. et al. The angular distributions of ultraviolet spectral irradiance at different solar elevation angles under clear sky conditions. Int J Biometeorol 60, 63–72 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-015-1005-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-015-1005-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation