Investigation of unstabilized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for use as a long-term UV dosimeter: preliminary results

Abstract

A new chemical UV dosimeter with a larger dose capacity than existing chemical dosimeters has been investigated for long-term UV measurements. Unstabilized polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cast in 40 µm thick film, has been found to respond to at least 745 SED (Standard Erythema Dose = 100 J m−2) of solar UV radiation, which is equivalent to about two to three summer weeks of exposure in subtropical sites. The UV-induced changes in the PVC dosimeter were quantified using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer and the decrease in the absorption intensity of the 1064 cm−1 peak was employed to quantify these changes. Dose response curves have been established by relating the decrease in the PVC dosimeter's absorption intensity at 1064 cm−1 to the corresponding absolute and erythemal UV exposure dose.