Abstract
 World Atlas of Ultraviolet A and B Radiation Track: Health and Human Services Author(s): Edward Gorham, Sharif Mohr, Frank Garland, Cedric Garland, William Grant, Robyn Highfill-McRoy Ultraviolet B (UVB) has high biological importance, but its geographic distribution is not well understood. UVB is needed for making vitamin D, which is associated with lower incidence rates of some cancers, but may have adverse effects. Ultraviolet A (UVA) may play a role in melanoma. Using GIS data on ozone and UV from the NASA TOMS satellites and USDA ground network of UV measuring stations were combined with air pollution data from satellite sensors and cloud cover data from the World Meteorological Organization to produce comprehensive world maps of UVA and UVB. The geographic distributions of UVA and UVB were different. UVB was predominant within 35 degrees of the equator and in rural areas, while UVA intensity was higher over a much broader band of latitudes and in urban and polluted environments. GIS provided an essential tool for the creation of a comprehensive atlas of UV radiation. Edward Gorham University of California San Diego Family and Preventive Medicine 9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0631C La Jolla , CA 92093 US Phone: (858) 534-0520 E-mail: gorham@nhrc.navy.mil Sharif Mohr Naval Health Research Center Behavioral Sciences and Epidemiology P.O. Box 85122 San Diego , CA 92186-5122 US Phone: 6195536889 Fax: 6195538459 E-mail: mohr@nhrc.navy.mil Frank Garland Naval Health Research Center and UC San Diego Headquarters P.O. Box 85122 San Diego , CA 92186-5122 US Phone: 6195538421 Fax: 6195249888 E-mail: garland@nhrc.navy.mil Cedric Garland University of California, San Diego Family and Preventive Medicine 9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0631C La Jolla , CA 92093-0631 US Phone: 6195539016 Fax: 6185538459 E-mail: cgarland@ucsd.edu William Grant Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center 2107 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 403B San Francisco , CA 94109-2529 US Phone: 1-415-776-5274 E-mail: wbgrant@infionline.net Robyn Highfill-McRoy Naval Health Research Center Behavioral Sciences and Epidemiology P. O. Box 85122 San Diego , CA 92186-5122 US Phone: (619) 553-3535 E-mail: highfill@nhrc.navy.mil |
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