45
UV Index
Vantage Pro2 can also display UV Index, an intensity measurement first
defined by Environment Canada and since been adopted by the World Meteo-
rological Organization. UV Index assigns a number between 0 and 16 to the
current UV intensity. The US EPA categorizes the Index values as shown in
table A-3. The lower the number, the lower the danger of sunburn. The Index
value published by the U.S. National Weather Service is a forecast of the next
day’s noontime UV intensity. The index values displayed by the Vantage Pro2
are real-time measurements.
Table A-2: ENVIRONMENT CANADA SKIN TYPES AND REACTION TO THE SUN
a
Skin Type Skin Color History of Tanning & Sunburning
I White Always burns easily, never tans
II White Always burns easily, tans minimally
III Light Brown Burns moderately, tans gradually
IV Moderate Brown Burns minimally, tans well
V Dark Brown Burns rarely, tans profusely
VI Black Never burns, deep pigmentation
a. Developed by T. B. Fitzpatrick of the Harvard Medical School. More about the
Fitzpatrick Skin Types is available in: Fitzpatrick TB. Editorial: the validity and
practicality of sun-reactive skin types I through VI. Arch Dermatol 1988;
124:869-871
UV Dose that
Causes Sunburn
All Burn
Some burn
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
1
2
3
4
Skin Type (Environment Canada)
Skin Phototype (EPA)
UV Dose (MEDs)
1234 5
6
20 40 60 80 100 120
mJ/cm
2
UV Dose and Sunburn - Use this plot to estimate the MED dose leading to sunburn. A person with
Type II (Environment Canada) skin type might choose 0.75 MED as the maximum for the day; in
contrast, a person with Type V (Environment Canada) Skin Type might consider 2.5 MEDs a reason-
able dose for the day. NOTE: the Vantage Pro2 assumes a Fitzpatrick (Environment Canada) Skin
Type of II.
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