School
School of Public Health
Document Type
Dissertation
Department (new version)
Public Health
Date of Award
1998
Degree Name by School
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) School of Public Health
Abstract
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is produced by many sources, and for most people the sun is their main source of exposure. In the occupational environment there are also many artificial sources, of which welding arcs are the predominant and most intense. This dissertation represents a synthesis and interpretation of information (both empirical and review) that is contained in five journal articles. These articles address personal exposure, evaluation and control of UVR from both natural and artificial sources, and in particular exposure to UVR from welding arcs. This research has shown that workers in a welding environment have personal exposures to UVR that are above the current exposure limit, and risk estimates based on these exposures suggest that the workers (and especially non-welders) have a risk of non-melanoma skin cancer that is many times greater than non-exposed workers. The exposures and health risks of welders are comparable to those of outdoor workers, but significantly higher than those of indoor workers and workers exposed to other artificial sources of UVR. These results when combined with our laboratory data suggest that current welding helmet design allows infiltration of UVR, and indicate that improved protection measures need to be investigated. When the adequacy of the current exposure standard is reviewed in light of these results, any changes to the exposure limit do not seem warranted, particularly due to a lack of personal exposure data and inadequacy of information on long-term health effects of exposure to UVR from welding. These issues also present areas for further research.
ProQuest Publication Number
ProQuest ID
9910777
ISBN
978-0-599-08876-4
Recommended Citation
Tenkate, Thomas Daniel, "Environmental and occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation and associated health risks" (1998). All ETDs from UAB. 7201.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/7201
Comments
DrPH