title: Online educative activities for solar ultraviolet radiation based on measurements of cloud amount and solar exposures.
abstract: A set of online activities for children and the community that are based on an integrated real-time solar UV and cloud measurement system are described. These activities use the functionality of the internet to provide an educative tool for school children and the public on the influence of cloud and the angle of the sun above the horizon on the global erythemal UV or sunburning UV, the diffuse erythemal UV, the global UVA (320-400nm) and the vitamin D effective UV. Additionally, the units of UV exposure and UV irradiance are investigated, along with the meaning and calculation of the UV index (UVI). This research will help ensure that children and the general public are better informed about sun safety by improving their personal understanding of the daily and the atmospheric factors that influence solar UV radiation and the solar UV exposures of the various wavebands in the natural environment. The activities may correct common misconceptions of children and the public about UV irradiances and exposure, utilising the widespread reach of the internet to increase the public's awareness of the factors influencing UV irradiances and exposures in order to provide clear information for minimizing UV exposure, while maintaining healthy, outdoor lifestyles.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba 4350, Australia. Electronic address: parisi@usq.edu.au.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Parisi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba 4350, Australia.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Downs
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba 4350, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba 4350, Australia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amar
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014887:Weather
keywords: Clouds; Education; Online; Real-time; UV