Advice on protection against ultraviolet radiation. Consultation document

The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) has a statutory responsibility to provide advice and information on standards of protection for exposure to non-ionising radiation. This includes the health effects and hazards associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The Board discharges its responsibility to review and summarise the relevant scientific evidence in part through its independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) which has a remit: 'to review work on the biological effects of non-ionising radiation relevant to human health and to advise on research priorities'. In its seventh report AGNIR (2002) updated its previous review of the health effects of exposure to UVR (AGNIR, 1995) and provided general guidance on methods of protection against exposure. In this consultation document, NRPB gives advice on limiting exposure to UVR. Both quantitative limits on exposure that will prevent short-term adverse effects on health and cautionary measures to reduce exposure and the risk of long-term adverse effects are provided. It also presents practical guidance on protection against UVR exposure from the sun and from artificial sources and aims to increase awareness of these effects. This advice applies to members of the public and to those who are occupationally exposed. This advice does not apply to exposures arising as a result of diagnostic or treatment procedures carried out under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner. (author)