ENHANCEMENT OF MUTAGENESIS AND HUMAN SKIN CANCER RATES RESULTING FROM INCREASED FLUENCES OF SOLAR ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION |
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| Authors: | H. E. Kubitschek K. S. Baker M. J. Peak |
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| Affiliation: | Mutagenesis Group, Division of Biological and Medical Research, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439;U. C. Marine Bio-Optics, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;Photobiology Group, Division of Biological and Medical Research, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439 |
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| Abstract: | Abstract— We present a new method for calculating the effects of reduction of atmospheric ozone upon induction of nonmelanoma skin cancer. These estimates are based upon several recent experimental improvements: a model for the atmospheric penetration of UV-B; measurements of the transmission of this radiation by human epidermis; a precise action spectrum for genetic effects (mutation) in Escherichia coli , which was corrected for finite slit width. The calculated radiation amplification factor or percent increase in exposure per one percent decrease in atmospheric ozone is constant at 1.7 for solar zenith angles = 70° and decreases only with larger values of this angle. Thus the estimated increase applies to all heavily populated areas. of the globe. The value is robust: it is almost the same when the albedo is reduced from 0.2 to 0.1 or when the epidermal transmission is assumed to be about fourfold greater. |
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