An Inexpensive High-Temporal Resolution Electronic Sun Journal for Monitoring Personal Day to Day Sun Exposure Patterns

Exposure to natural sunlight, specifically solar ultraviolet radiation contributes to lifetime risks of skin cancer, eye disease and diseases associated with vitamin D insufficiency. Improved knowledge of personal sun exposure patterns can inform public health policy; and help target high risk population groups. Subsequently, an extensive number of studies have been conducted to measure personal solar ultraviolet exposure in a variety of settings. Many of these studies however use digital or paper-based journals (self-reported volunteer recall), or employ cost prohibitive electronic ultraviolet dosimeters (that limit the size of sample populations), to estimate periods of exposure. A cost effective personal electronic sun journal built from readily available infrared photodiodes is presented in this research. The electronic sun journal can be used to complement traditional ultraviolet dosimeters that measure total biologically effective exposure by providing a time stamped sun exposure record. The electronic sun journal can be easily attached to clothing and data logged to personal devices (including fitness monitors or smartphones). The electronic sun journal improves upon self-reported exposure recording and is a cost effective high temporal resolution option for monitoring personal sun exposure behavior in large population studies