Lifetime ultraviolet exposure estimates for selected population groups in south-east Queensland

The lifetime erythemal UV exposures received by selected population groups in southeast Queensland from birth up to an age of 55 years have been quantitatively estimated. A representative sample of teachers and other school workers received (64 +/- 22) x 10(5) J m(-2) to the neck compared with (4.1 +/- 1.4) x 10(5) J m(-2) to the upper leg. A sample of indoor workers (bank officers, solicitors and psychologists) received approximately 2% less and a sample of outdoor workers (carpenters, tilers, electricians and labourers) received approximately 10% more to the neck than the school workers. These differences in erythemal UV exposures may influence the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer.