UV radiation in the Netherlands, 1980-2001

Developments

The total carcinogenic UV radiation reaching the earth's surface in 2001 was about 5% higher than around 1980. That is approximately 4% less than in 2000 and approximately equal to 1999. This means that UV radiation in recent years is no longer as high as in the mid-nineties, but still higher than it was in the early eighties.
UV radiation in the period 1992-1997 was 10-16% higher than in the early eighties. These high values were probably caused by the fact that the ozone-depletion capacity of the CFCs emitted into the stratosphere as a result of human activity increased sharply due to the presence of vulcanic aerosols during that period. Those vulcanic aerosols were emitted into the stratosphere as a result of the eruption of the Pinatubo volcano in 1991.

Policy

International policy aims to restrict or stop the production and use of ozone-depleting substances. A large number of countries have signed the Montreal Protocol and therefore undertaken to use no more CFCs from 1996 onwards (from 2010 onwards in developing countries). The global production and use of ozone-depleting substances have, as a result, fallen sharply in the last ten years. The measures taken are intended to result in the recovery of the ozone layer (so that it becomes thicker), restoring the situation in 1980.

Relevance

Changes in the thickness of the ozone layer lead to changes in UV radiation reaching the earth's surface. An increase in UV radiation has numerous harmful effects on the environment and health, including extra cases of skin cancer.

Technical note

The graph provides a picture of changes in annual UV radiation in the Netherlands (2000 as compared to 1980). Because annual fluctuations in the ozone layer have a large effect on the annual radiation level, three-year averages were used for the calculations. The average for 1979-1981 was allocated to 1980, and the average for 1999-2001 to 2000.

Annual UV was calculated on the basis of satellite measurements and describes the UV radiation relevant for skin cancer (skin cancer action spectrum, De Gruijl and Van der Leun, 1994).

The figure for UV radiation here has been adjusted for annual fluctuations in cloud cover and it therefore directly reflects the variances caused by ozone depletion. Changes in the thickness of the ozone layer lead to changes in UV radiation reaching the earth's surface. Measurements of UV radiation (at ground level) for the last eight years, after correction for random fluctuations in cloud cover, correspond closely to irradiation levels calculated on the basis of ozone measurements. The same is true for 2001.
Effective UV radiation in the Netherlands, 1996-2001

References

Allaart, M. Ozonmetingen. Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, de Bilt, Netherlands.

De Backer, H. Ozonmetingen. Royal Meteorological Institute, Ukkel, Belgium.

De Gruijl, F.R. and J.C. van der Leun (1994). Estimate of the wavelength dependency of ultraviolet carcinogenesis in humans and its relevance to the risk assessment of a stratospheric ozone depletion. Health Physics 67, 319-325.

Den Outer P.N., H. Slaper, J. Matthijsen, H.A.J.M. Reinen and R. Tax, (2000). Variability of ground-level ultraviolet: model and measurement. Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 91, 105.

NASA. TOMS satellite ozone measurements.

Slaper, H., G.J.M. Velders, J.S. Daniel, F.R. de Gruijl and J.C. van der Leun (1996). Estimates of ozone depletion and skin cancer incidence to examine the Vienna Convention achievements. Nature 384, 256-258.

Slaper, H., P. den Outer, H.A.J.M. Reinen and R. Tax (1998). De UV-belasting in Nederland in relatie tot veranderingen in de ozonlaagdikte: de ontwikkelingen tot en met 1997. RIVM brief report, 24 July, Bilthoven.

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

Information about ozone measurements in the Netherlands and Belgium can be found at KNMI and KMI.

RIVM (2000). National Environmental Outlook 5. Samsom bv, Alphen aan den Rijn. For more information about the policy with respect to depletion of the ozone layer.

RIVM (2002). Environmental balance 2002. Kluwer, Alphen aan den Rijn, for more information about future developments relating to UV radiation.

Kelfkens, G., A. Bregman, F.R. de Gruijl, J.C. van der Leun, A. Piquet, T. van Oijen, W.W.C. Gieskes, H. van Loveren, G.J.M. Velders, P. Martens and H. Slaper, H., Ozone layer - climate change interactions: Influence on UV levels and UV related effects. ISBN 90 5851 079 4. Dutch National Research Programme on Global Air Pollution and climate change, Report 410 200 112.

UNEP, Frequently Asked Questions About the Ozone Layer and Related Environmental Effects.

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), with information about: science of ozone depletion, the regulatory approach to protecting the ozone layer, and on alternatives to ozone-depletion substances.

TEAP Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) of the Montreal Protocol.

NASA/TOMS, most recent ozone maps and data.

NOAA, Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 1998.

ETC/ACC (European Topic Center on Air and Climate Change).

More information about measurements of UV radiation can be found on the websites of the WMO (World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre, UV radiation page), NASA/TOMS and the European SUVDAMA project.