Ultraviolet (UV) radiation covers the wavelength range of 100 nanometres (nm) to 400 nm. It is the most powerful type of optical radiation. UV radiation is not visible to the human eye and cannot be perceived by the other senses either. UV radiation causes acute and long-term effects on the human skin and eyes and is an important environmental parameter. The intensity of UV radiation is subject to continuous worldwide monitoring. The measuring results are published as UV Index.
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz, BfS) coordinates the interdisciplinary "UV Protection Alliance". The Alliance is a cooperation of well-known societies, organisations and authorities from radiation protection, medicine, science and occupational safety who are committed to UV protection for years. The Alliance advocates for a responsible handling with UV radiation. Objective of the Alliance is to reduce in the long term the number of new skin cancer cases and other adverse health effects caused by UV radiation.
UV index forecasts are issued every 3 days each year from April to September by BfS, in cooperation with the Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Germany's National Meteorological Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst, DWD) and other associated institutions. The UV index is the internationally standardised measure of the daily peak value of erythemal UV radiation expected to reach the Earth’s surface. The higher the UVI value, the less time it takes for sunburn to occur on unprotected skin.
The sun is essential for life on earth. Many vital processes on the earth’s surface, such as climate and life itself, are fuelled by radiation energy from the sun. About 99.98 per cent of the overall energy accountable for the global climate originate from the sun.
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) together with the UV Protection Alliance initiated an interdisciplinary scientific expert discussion on the harmonization of the hitherto conflicting recommendations regarding UV exposure for endogenous vitamin D synthesis.
Typical UV Index values in various countries worldwide, calculated with the radiation transfer programme STAR at the 21st of each month.
