Increase of biologically effective ultraviolet radiation with altitude

Applying Green's radiation model, the increase with altitude of ultraviolet radiation effective to produce erythema, keratitis, and cataract have been calculated. The reflectance of the terrain yields the most significant influence. With regard to erythema, keratitis, and cataract, the increase...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of Wilderness Medicine Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 189 - 197
Main Authors Ambach, W., Blumthaler, M., Schöpf, T.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.05.1993
Subjects
keratitis
altitude
erythema
cataract
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Summary:Applying Green's radiation model, the increase with altitude of ultraviolet radiation effective to produce erythema, keratitis, and cataract have been calculated. The reflectance of the terrain yields the most significant influence. With regard to erythema, keratitis, and cataract, the increase with altitude of irradiation onto a horizontal plane varies between 1.07–1.59 per 3000 m dependent on solar elevation, step in altitude, and albedo of the terrain. If the eyes are directed towards the terrain, as usually practiced when hiking in high mountain regions, the ocular exposures of ultraviolet radiation effective to produce keratitis and cataract increase by a factor of 16 at the transition from snow-free to snow-covered terrain.
ISSN:0953-9859
1545-1534
DOI:10.1580/0953-9859-4.2.189