Solar ultraviolet-B radiation monitoring in Khorram Abad city in Iran

Background: The increasing evidences show that global depletion of stratospheric ozone layer is caused by pollutant and growing incidence of the skin cancer and cataract is related to the amounts of solar UV radiation reaching the earth ׳s surface. Therefore, the main driving force behind such efforts has been the lack of an appropriate network in scope monitoring of the terrestrial UV radiation. Materials and Methods: The present work was performed at Khorram Abad province, Lorestan, Iran. Khorram Abad (48°, 21΄ E and 30°, 23΄ N) is approximately 1171m above the mean sea level. UV radiation was measured using a UV-Biometer Model 501, from November 2005 till November 2006. Results: Hourly average UV- index, the effective power and other parameters such as effective UV dose have been "moderate" from April until the end of August 2006 and very low from November till January 2006. However, in some days, the maximum UVI was in the range of "High" , especially in May. Conclusion: It was observed that the monthly average hourly UV index values in Khorram Abad were never at the extreme range. Chronic UVB exposure could be the major cause of eye's and skin disease in months from April to August, during which most people's activities were performed outdoor in the province of Lorestan. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2009 7 (3): 171-175