Assessing children's ultraviolet radiation exposure: the potential usefulness of a colorimeter.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the colorimeter as an objective measure of children's ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure.


METHODS
Fifty-eight children, ages 6 to 9 years, attended two summer measurement sessions, with 46 attending a subsequent winter session.


RESULTS
Comparisons between summer sessions for the L* scale showed that only the upper arm significantly changed in the tanner direction, while b* scale values indicated significant tanning for all body sites. All exposed body sites changed significantly in the less tan direction between summer and winter measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
Using colorimeters to objectively measure children's UV exposure has potential applications for skin cancer prevention programs.
Eckhardt
L
L
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University 92182-4162, USA.
Mayer
J A
JA
Creech
L
L
Johnston
M R
MR
Lui
K J
KJ
Sallis
J F
JF
Elder
J P
JP
D002648:Child; D003124:Colorimetry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays