Study of the influence of atmospheric and geographical factors on the levels of ultraviolet radiation in regions of high population density in the State of São Paulo

• Grant number: 04/00937-3
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: June 01, 2004 - March 31, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Meteorology
• Principal researcher: Juan Carlos Ceballos
• Grantee: Juan Carlos Ceballos
• Home Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações e Comunicações (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project is aimed at improving knowledge on atmospheric and geographical phenomena inherent in estimates of surface ultraviolet radiation (R-UV). However, studies involving R-UV should not merely limit themselves to scientific objectives, but also supply parameters for the support of public and social policies for raising the population’s awareness of the harmful effect of excessive exposure to the sun. Given this range of motivations, this project proposes a set of studies on R-UV to be carried out in the State of São Paulo, given that the region presents important points in relation to the theme. From the point of view of public health, the region is home to around 25 per cent of the Brazilian population and has the highest number of skin cancer diagnoses in the country, and from the scientific point of view, possesses relevant regions of interest due to its geographical and atmospheric differences, as one of the world’s largest urban agglomerations, the city of São Paulo, the coastal and mountain tourist resorts. Due to this geographical heterogeneity, the implementation of this project, which includes the acquisition of sensors for measurements of global fluxes of R-UV, has the objective of carrying out theoretical-experimental studies related to the influence of: a) presence of aerosols; b) surface altitude; c) ground reflectance; d) cloud cover; and, in addition, taking advantage of the undertaking of systematic measurements, it is proposed to monitor levels of R-UV in large urban and tourist centers. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CORREA, MARCELO DE PAULA; CEBALLOS, JUAN CARLOS. Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Measurements in One of the Most Populous Cities of the World: Aspects Related to Skin Cancer Cases and Vitamin D Availability. Photochemistry and Photobiology, v. 86, n. 2, p. 438-444, MAR-APR 2010. Web of Science Citations: 14.

MARCELO DE PAULA CORREA; JUAN CARLOS CEBALLOS. Uvb surface albedo measurements using biometers. Revista Brasileira de Geofísica, v. 26, n. 4, p. -, Dez. 2008.