The Global Solar UV Index used in the United Kingdom
- Resource Type
- Authors
- K. Kitchen; C. New; C.M.H. Driscoll; B. Miners
- Source
- Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 91:313-315
- Subject
- Public information
Radiation
Index (economics)
Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
Meteorology
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Sun damage
General Medicine
medicine.disease
Skin colour
medicine.disease_cause
Sun safety
Geography
Ultraviolet irradiation
medicine
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging
Sunburn
Ultraviolet
- Language
- ISSN
- 1742-3406
0144-8420
Weather forecast bulletins on television, radio and in the newspapers in the UK now include advice about the strength of the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun in terms of the Global Solar UV Index. A numerical scale of 1 to 20 is used to quote the Index for anywhere in the world and the Index addresses all ethnic groups. The Index replaces the sunburn warning system. The daily UV Index is calculated by the Met. Office from documented UV radiation levels and current atmospheric data and takes into account cloud cover forecast. Armed with the knowledge of the UV Index the public will be able to assess their personal risk of sun damage at home or abroad depending on their natural skin colour. Four categories of skin colour are identified with the Index; white skin that sunburns easily, white skin that tans readily, brown skin and black skin. A colour-coded rating from low to very high is used to identify personal risk with these skin colour categories. The Global UV Index forms an important part of the 'Sun Safety Code' developed by health organisations within the UK.