UV

This European study reports on the creation of a new Job exposure matrix (JEM) for solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure to outdoor workers. The JEM was created by combining occupational UVR exposure measurements with estimations of the time workers spend outdoors. The exposure measurements were sourced from 12 studies published between 2005 and 2022 which detailed personal UVR exposure for 49 different occupations. The JEM estimates also included an expert assessment rating representing 3 regions of Europe based on latitude (Northern, Central and Southern Europe). The expert assessment rated the average duration of outdoor work for 372 occupations as 0, 1 to 2, 3 to 4, or ≥5 hours per workday. These exposure times were then adjusted based on latitude and on the time of the year (spring, summer, autumn or winter). This JEM will be able to be used in epidemiological studies to estimate occupational UVR exposure when participants’ work histories, and the latitude of worksites and time of year is known.