The Australian Sun and Health Research Laboratory mainly studies issues regarding ultraviolet (UV) radiation and its subsequent health effects on Australians. Some common, well-known, negative health effects are skin cancer, sunburn, and eye damage. However, UV radiation can also have a positive effect on the body through vitamin D synthesis. ASHRL is involved in research in both of these areas.
Topics of Interest
Current Projects
Environmental UV radiation exposure and its health duality for Queenslanders.
This research program aligns with Priority 5 Sustainable Health of the Queensland R&D priorities released in April 2003. The program will provide a detailed analysis of UV exposures of the Queensland population as a basis for assessing both the positive and negative health effects of exposure to UV. The strength of this approach is further enhanced by the novel application of this UV data to estimate personal human UV exposure and to relate these data to the incidence and prevalence of cancer. This research program will help create significant health, environmental and economic benefits for Queensland and in due course, the rest of Australia, via a range of public health and other applications. Thus far, little research has been conducted into quantitative assessment of the UV environment, but even more importantly, there has been little research into human UV exposure in the State of Queensland over an extended period of time. There is a clear need for a research program in this area as the potential benefits are wide ranging and substantial.
Funding Acknowledgements:
Queensland Government, Queensland Health Scientific Services, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (EnTox), Queensland University of Technology.
Assessment of Environmental UVA Exposure.
The incidence of skin cancer can be reduced by the minimization of exposures to UV radiation. For this to occur, a greater understanding of the solar UV exposure to humans in different environments is necessary. A personal dosimeter already exists for the measurement of the short wavelength UVB, and until recently, no dosimeter that measured the UVA waveband existed. However, we have developed and tested a prototype dosimeter to measure the longer wavelength UVA. Exposure to harmful solar UVA radiation is linked to skin cancer incidence and premature skin photoageing and wrinkling in humans. In the fight against the ravages caused to the human body by solar UV, there is a major gap in the scientific knowledge on the amount of UVA received by humans. Accordingly, this project aims to refine this working prototype dosimeter that will allow quantification of the UVA exposures. Socially and economically, this research project will aid in the creation of a sun-safe environment leading to skin cancer prevention and contribute to life-long public health benefits for the population. This project asks the following research question/s: How much filtered UVA is transmitted through glass? Does the indoor filtered solar UV in the workplace contribute to UVA exposure? How much does this filtered UVA contribute to the total UV exposure of humans? Specifically this project aims to: Based on a working prototype, further develop a reliable UVA dosimeter to measure the filtered UVA; Undertake a series of field measurements using the UVA dosimeter to evaluate the UV exposure inside motor vehicles, hopping malls and office buildings; Produce a database of exposures for each of these settings for each season; Disseminate the findings through publications and conferences to public health officials.
Funding Acknowledgement:
US National Institute of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute, Grant Number: 1 RO1 CA101602-01A2.
Study of Vitamin D levels in Brisbane
The aim of this pilot project is to support more than two decades of health promotion messages by providing baseline information about vitamin D levels in the population in Brisbane after the 2005/06 summer to counter recent suggestions that intentional sun exposure is a requirement, even in Queensland.
Many studies from more temperate regions have shown that a significant proportion of the population have low levels of vitamin D, particularly at the end of winter. There have been similar reports from southern Australian cities, particularly among those who are confined indoors because of age or infirmity. Dark-skinned veiled women and their infants have also been identified as being at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency. The results of our recent research suggest that some adult living in South East Queensland are also vitamin D deficient or have low levels of vitamin D (8% and 23% respectively). These unexpected findings suggest that some Queenslanders may have moderated their outdoor activity and clothing in order to protect themselves from UV. Therefore, low vitamin D levels may be a public health issue for some population sub-groups living in sunny climates. However, a Queensland has extreme levels of ambient UV and a very high incidence of skin cancer, considerable attention needs to be paid to the accuracy of guidelines about maintaining adequate vitamin D levels through sun exposure and/or supplementation. Queenslanders need clear public health messages (formulated from evidence-based guidelines) that provide information about the relevance to them of media messages from more temperate climates. Health authorities will be unable to provide suitable guidance until a thorough investigation of the vitamin D levels of the Queensland population has been undertaken.
Problem to be studied
The question addressed in this pilot project is “Do people living in sunny climates such as Brisbane have adequate vitamin D status, and has the Vitamin D issue altered people’s sun exposure habits?” A collaborative partnership has been established between QUT, JCU and EnTox to explore this research question. To date, such data is not available. The proposed project will provide some of the population-based data needed to identify population sub-groups at risk of low levels of Vitamin D while reinforcing sun-protection messages such as “slip, slap, slop” to those who are not at risk. It will also identify areas of future research. Pilot data generated by this project would also provide a basis for the further investigation of sensible evidence-based guidelines on UV exposure, which balance the need for sun-protection and adequate vitamin D levels, and consider the different requirements of people living in sub-tropical and tropical Australia. Such guidelines should reduce public confusion and prevent changes in behaviour which may ultimately lead to an increase in the incidence of skin cancer.
Funding Acknowledgment
Queensland Health