title: [Estimation of regional UV-B levels as exposure indices for ecological and environmental epidemiologic studies].
abstract: A formula to estimate ground level UV-B from meteorological data was developed for the purpose of utilization in ecologic and/or environmental epidemiologic studies. Estimated values were obtained for various regional points in Japan. There was a very high correlation (r = 0.98) between estimated and observed values at four weather stations during 1991-93. Ranks of the UV-B level for the 1990 year mean and decennial period means during 1961-1989 approximately equated ranks of latitude. However, > or = 10% variation in period means or > or = 10 difference in rank was observed at several regional points. Estimated UV-B level is affected by meteorological conditions including solar radiation and total ozone, and may serve as a refined and improved exposure index compared to conventional indices used in prior studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Epidemiology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawana
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okubo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Utsunomiya
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Watanabe
mesh_terms: D004463:Ecology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays