The 21st International Conference “Man and Working Environment”
SAFETY ENGINEERING & MANAGEMENT SCIENCE, INDUSTRY, EDUCATION (SEMSIE 2025)   
PROCEEDINGS OF PAPERS 
25-26 September 2025, SOKOBANJA, SERBIA  

Aleksandar Lazarević , Jelena Zvezdanović , Sanja Petrović ,
Dragan Cvetković , Tatjana Golubović 

REVIEW PAPER

EFFECTS OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Abstract:

Occupational exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation poses a significant health risk, particularly for workers in outdoor professions. Prolonged UV exposure is associated with a range of acute and chronic conditions, including erythema, photoaging, cataracts, and an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancers. Despite growing awareness, protective behaviour among workers often remains inadequate. This paper examines the biological effects of UV radiation, identifies high-risk occupational groups, and discusses preventive strategies aimed at minimizing exposure. The emphasis is placed on the importance of implementing protection policies in the workplace, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), education campaigns, and organizational measures. Recognizing UV radiation as an occupational hazard is essential for safeguarding the health and well-being of exposed workers in light of climate change and ongoing ozone depletion.

Keywords:

UV radiation, occupational exposure, photoprotection, workplace safety

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

This paper was supported by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovations of the Republic of Serbia, Program for financing scientific research work, numbers 451-03-137/2025-03/200133 and 451-03-137/2025-03/200148.

REFERENCES:
  • Bubas, M., Constandt, L., ... & Giménez‐Arnau, A. M. (2017). Minimum standards on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of occupational and work‐related skin diseases in Europe–position paper of the COST Action StanDerm (TD 1206). Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 31, 31-43. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14319
  • Ball, W. T., Alsing, J., Mortlock, D. J., Staehelin, J., Haigh, J. D., Peter, T., ... & Rozanov, E. V. (2018). Evidence for a continuous decline in lower stratospheric ozone offsetting ozone layer recovery. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 18(2), 1379-1394. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-1379-2018
  • Bernhard, G. H., Bais, A. F., Aucamp, P. J., Klekociuk, A. R., Liley, J. B., & McKenzie, R. L. (2023). Stratospheric ozone, UV radiation, and climate interactions. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 22(5), 937-989.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43630-023-00371-y
  • Buys, D. G., & Brown, S. C. (2021). Radiation exposure protection: Small things matter. Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, 32(5), 235-236. DOI: 10.5830/CVJA-2021-052.
  • Diepgen, T. L., Fartasch, M., Drexler, H., & Schmitt, J. (2012). Occupational skin cancer induced by ultraviolet radiation and its prevention. British Journal of Dermatology, 167(s2), 76-84. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11090.x
  • El Ghissassi, F., Baan, R., Straif, K., Grosse, Y., Secretan, B., Bouvard, V., & Cogliano, V. (2009). A review of human carcinogens, part D: radiation. The Lancet Oncology, 10(8), 751-752. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(09)70213-X
  • European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. (2009). Outlook 1: New and emerging risks in occupational safety and health. Available online: https://osha.europa.eu/en/node/6842/file_view (accessed on 26 July 2018).
  • Huang, X., & Chalmers, A. N. (2021). Review of wearable and portable sensors for monitoring personal solar UV exposure. Annals of biomedical engineering, 49(3), 964-978. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-020-02710-x
  • Hyppönen, E., & Power, C. (2007). Hypovitaminosis D in British adults at age 45 y: nationwide cohort study of dietary and lifestyle predictors. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 85(3), 860-868. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/85.3.860
  • International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. (2004). Guidelines on limits of exposure to ultraviolet radiation of wavelengths between 180 nm and 400 nm (incoherent optical radiation). Health Physics, 87(2), 171-186.
  • International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. (2010). ICNIRP statement protection of workers against ultraviolet radiation. Health Physics, 99(1), 66-87. DOI: 10.1097/HP.0b013e3181d85908
  • Krutmann, J., & Morita, A. (1999, September). Mechanisms of ultraviolet (UV) B and UVA phototherapy. In Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings (Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 70-72). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jidsp.5640185 
  • Lazarević, A., Petrović, S., Cvetković, D., Stanojević, J., Anđelković, T., & Zvezdanović, J. (2025). Protoporphyrin IX response to ultraviolet and white light treatments in different mediums. Monatshefte für Chemie-Chemical Monthly, 156(4), 431-442. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00706-025-03306-8
  • Lee, J. W., Ratnakumar, K., Hung, K. F., Rokunohe, D., & Kawasumi, M. (2020). Deciphering UV‐induced DNA damage responses to prevent and treat skin cancer. Photochemistry and photobiology, 96(3), 478-499. https://doi.org/10.1111/php.13245
  • Marchbein, D., & Campbell, C. (2020). "Is UV Light for Nails Safe? Dermatologists Weigh in on New Cancer Study." Teen Vogue. Retrieved from https://www.teenvogue.com/story/uv-light-for-nails-safety
  • Modenese, A., Bisegna, F., Borra, M., Grandi, C., Gugliermetti, F., Militello, A., & Gobba, F. (2016). Outdoor work and solar radiation exposure: Evaluation method for epidemiological studies. Medycyna Pracy. Workers’ Health and Safety, 67(5), 577-587.
  • Modenese, A., Korpinen, L., & Gobba, F. (2018). Solar radiation exposure and outdoor work: an underestimated occupational risk. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(10), 2063. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102063
  • Narayanan, D. L., Saladi, R. N., & Fox, J. L. (2010). Ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer. International journal of dermatology, 49(9), 978-986. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04474.x
  • Pittayapruek, P., Meephansan, J., Prapapan, O., Komine, M., & Ohtsuki, M. (2016). Role of matrix metalloproteinases in photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. International journal of molecular sciences, 17(6), 868. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17060868
  • Romanhole, R. C., Ataide, J. A., Moriel, P., & Mazzola, P. G. (2015). Update on ultraviolet A and B radiation generated by the sun and artificial lamps and their effects on skin. International journal of cosmetic science, 37(4), 366-370. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12219
  • Ross, A. C., Manson, J. E., Abrams, S. A., Aloia, J. F., Brannon, P. M., Clinton, S. K., ... & Shapses, S. A. (2011). The 2011 report on dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D from the Institute of Medicine: what clinicians need to know. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 96(1), 53-58. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2010-2704
  • Schmitt, J., Seidler, A., Diepgen, T. L., & Bauer, A. (2011). Occupational ultraviolet light exposure increases the risk for the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. British Journal of Dermatology, 164(2), 291-307. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10118.x  
  • Tang, X., Yang, T., Yu, D., Xiong, H., & Zhang, S. (2024). Current insights and future perspectives of ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure: Friends and foes to the skin and beyond the skin. Environment International, 108535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.108535
  • Trevisan, A., Piovesan, S., Leonardi, A., Bertocco, M., Nicolosi, P., Pelizzo, M. G., & Angelini, A. (2006). Unusual high exposure to ultraviolet‐C radiation. Photochemistry and photobiology, 82(4), 1077-1079. https://doi.org/10.1562/2005-10-27-RA-728
  • Umar, S. A., & Tasduq, S. A. (2022). Ozone layer depletion and emerging public health concerns – an update on epidemiological perspective of the ambivalent effects of ultraviolet radiation exposure. Frontiers in Oncology, 12, 866733. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.866733 XXXXXXWorld Health Organization. (2016). Radiation: Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation. Geneva.
  • Wright, C., Diab, R., & Martincigh, B. (2004). Anatomical distribution of ultraviolet solar radiation. South African journal of science, 100(9), 498-500.
  • Zvezdanović, J., Cvetić, T., Veljović-Jovanović, S., & Marković, D. (2009). Chlorophyll bleaching by UV-irradiation in vitro and in situ: Absorption and fluorescence studies. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 78(1), 25-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2008.07.006

© 2023 Faculty of Occupational Safety - Multimedia