Swedish pre-school children's UVR exposure - a comparison between two outdoor environments

Area of Science:

• Environmental health
• Pediatric dermatology
• Public health

Background:

• Childhood overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a significant risk factor for skin cancer.
• Shady environments are recognized as a protective measure against UVR exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the difference in UVR exposure between children playing in sunny versus shady preschool environments.
• To assess the impact of environmental design on UVR exposure in young children.

Main Methods:

• Dosimeter measurements of environmental UVR exposure were taken for 64 children aged 1-6 years at two preschools near Stockholm.
• One preschool (site 1) featured sunny play structures, while the other (site 2) had predominantly shaded areas.
• Measurements were conducted over 11 clear weather days in May-June 2002, with adjustments for children's outdoor stay duration.

Main Results:

• Children's average daily UVR exposure was approximately 200 J(CIE)/m².
• The relative UVR exposure was lower in the shaded environment (site 2) compared to the sunny environment (site 1).
• Specifically, 5-6-year-olds in the shaded preschool experienced 41% less UVR, and 1-4-year-olds experienced 6% less UVR than those in the sunny preschool.

Conclusions:

• Differences in UVR exposure are attributable to preschool environments and associated child behaviors.
• Designing preschool playgrounds with attractive shady areas is recommended to mitigate sun exposure, especially in sunny locations.