• The sun is shining from a blue sky

Quantification of work-related heat stress, UV exposure, and dermal absorption of UV filters in outdoor workers

Shortcut: IPA-207-SHOW-Climate

Duration: 2025-2026

Aim

Investigation of the workplace-related stresses of outdoor workers with a focus on heat stress, UV radiation, the use of sun protection measures and the dermal absorption of UV filters from applied sunscreens using biomonitoring.

Study design

Examination of outdoor workers and control subjects from agriculture, the construction industry, and/or other sectors employing outdoor workers. The following tasks are carried out:

  • Determining the employees' level of knowledge regarding occupational UV and heat exposure using questionnaires
  • Standardized training to correctly apply available prevention measures for sun protection
  • Measuring physical stress due to heat based on heart rate and skin/core body temperature
  • Measuring UV exposure
  • Verifying the use of sun protecting measures and analyzing the absorption of UV filters by means of human biomonitoring

Results

Develop potential sector-specific sun protection measures to foster individual prevention. Generate sound-scientific data to better prevent outdoor workers from heat stress and UV exposure and implement the gained knowledge into the regulatory framework of the statutory health insurances and federal regulations.

Contact

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