UV Index monitoring in Europe. Issue 9 (29th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmalwieser, Alois W.; Gröbner, Julian; Blumthaler, Mario; Klotz, Barbara; De Backer, Hugo; Bolsée, David; Werner, Rolf; Tomsic, Davor; Metelka, Ladislav; Eriksen, Paul; Jepsen, Nis; Aun, Margit; Heikkilä, Anu; Duprat, Thierry; Sandmann, Henner; Weiss, Tilman; Bais, Alkis; Toth, Zoltan; Siani, Anna-Maria; Vaccaro, Luisa; Diémoz, Henri; Grifoni, Daniele; Zipoli, Gaetano; Lorenzetto, Giuseppe; Petkov, Boyan H.; di Sarra, Alcide Giorgio; Massen, Francis; Yousif, Charles; Aculinin, Alexandr A.; den Outer, Peter; Svendby, Tove; Dahlback, Arne; Johnsen, Bjørn; Biszczuk-Jakubowska, Julita; Krzyscin, Janusz; Henriques, Diamantino; Chubarova, Natalia; Kolarž, Predrag; Mijatovic, Zoran; Groselj, Drago; Pribullova, Anna; Gonzales, Juan Ramon Moreta; Bilbao, Julia; Guerrero, José Manuel Vilaplana; Serrano, Antonio; Andersson, Sandra; Vuilleumier, Laurent; Webb, Ann; O'Hagan, John;
• Is Part Of: Photochemical & photobiological sciences. Volume 16:Issue 9(2017)
• Page Start: 1349
• Page End: 1370
• Publication Date: 2017-08-29
• Subjects: Photochemistry -- Periodicals; Photobiology -- Periodicals; 541.35
• DOI: 10.1039/c7pp00178a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-905X

Abstract

Abstract : We present an overview on UV Index monitoring in Europe including, locations, instruments and quality assurance as well as on the online presentations of measurements in the internet. Abstract : The UV Index was established more than 20 years ago as a tool for sun protection and health care. Shortly after its introduction, UV Index monitoring started in several countries either by newly acquired instruments or by converting measurements from existing instruments into the UV Index. The number of stations and networks has increased over the years. Currently, 160 stations in 25 European countries deliver online values to the public via the Internet. In this paper an overview of these UV Index monitoring sites in Europe is given. The overview includes instruments as well as quality assurance and quality control procedures. Furthermore, some examples are given about how UV Index values are presented to the public. Through these efforts, 57% of the European population is supplied with high quality information, enabling them to adapt behaviour. Although health care, including skin cancer prevention, is cost-effective, a proportion of the European population still doesn't have access to UV Index information.