Inexpensive Personal Dosimeter for Sun or UV Exposure

Skin cancers in the United States have been one of the most common forms of cancer as well as one of the most common sun-induced skin disorders making people who are susceptible quite sensitive about exposure to the sun. Additionally, people who are generally fair-skinned are also sensitive about sun-exposure. This is a major reason for the consumer sunscreen market. As an augmentation to consumer sunscreen formulations, there is also a significant market for a simple and inexpensive device to measure the total exposure received and at what level, the person should be limiting further exposure. Researchers at Arizona State University developed an invention that is a simple, low cost electronic personal dosimeter for ultra-violet rays. The "Dosimeter for U.V." or "DUV" is intended to be worn on or under clothing, or directly on the skin, in which case it may even be coated with sunblock or other protective coatings to assess net skin expposure to harmful ultra-violet rays. These rays are produced by the sun as well as industrial sources such as arc welding, tanning equipment, u.v. lasers, and and lithography exposure equipment. Since it is total dose and not rate of exposure, which promotes skin cancer and other deleterious effects, the DUV integrates exposure. The associated (simple) circuitry can be configured to produce a continuous cumulative dose output or to provide an audible warning when a safe does has been exceeded.For more detailed information on this invention, please refer to US patent no. 5,500,532.