47
UV Index
Vantage Pro2 can also display UV Index, an intensity measurement first
defined by Environment Canada and since been adopted by the World
Meteorological 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 Ser-
vice is a forecast of the next day’s noontime UV intensity. The Index val-
ues displayed by the Vantage Pro2 are real-time measurements.
Table A-2: E
NVIRONMENT
C
ANADA
S
KIN
T
YPES
AND
R
EACTION
TO
THE
S
UNa
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 T
ype (Environment Canada)
Skin Phototype (EP
A
)
UV Dose (MEDs)
1
2
3
4
5
6
20
40
60
80
100
120 mJ/cm2
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.
