[Plant reaction to elevated ultraviolet irradiation: potential impacts of stratospheric ozone depletion].

The ozone layer depletion evokes the increase of solar UV-B radiation intensity and corresponding reductions of growth (height, leaf area, fresh and dry weight), photosynthetic activity and flowering in higher plants. Competitive interactions also may be altered indirectly by differential growth responses. The UV-B-sensitivity of plants varies both among species and among cultivars of a given species.

[The factors of individual sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation].

Correlations between effective UVR doses for induction of skin erythema, premature aging and cancer, immunosuppression, vitamin D photobiosynthesis and cataract on the one hand and various ethnic signs, sex, age and metabolic states of organism on the other were considered. Individual UV sensitivity by all criteria mentioned with the exception of immunosuppression and cataract is conditioned by specificity of melanin and DNA metabolism, and risk of skin cancer incidence besides that depends of immune system state. Values of risk factors for UVR effects mentioned incidence in individuals of different sex and age with various ethnic and metabolic conditions are presented.

[Biomedical and economic consequences of stratosphere ozone depletion].

Information on possible human health-changes associated with stratosphere ozone depletion and amplification factor (% increase of the stick rate by 1% decrease of ozone) values for acute (erythema, keratitis, cataract, immunosuppression) and chronic (skin cancer, cataract) effects of natural UV-radiation was analysed. Amplification factor (AF) values for acute UV-effects increase with degree of ozone depletion. For degrees less than 12.

[Ultraviolet radiation as a risk factor on the Earth and outer space].

UVR effects on human health are considered. The critical organs for UVR are skin, eye, and the immune system. In the skin, UVR can induce erythema, tanning, vitamin D photosynthesis, premature aging, and cancer.

[The use of human skin reflectance spectra for the quantitative assessment of individual sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation].

Reflection spectra of human skin of various ethnic types in the range of 370-790 nm were measured and analyzed. Correlation between reflection coefficients and minimal erythemal doses was estimated. The formula has been devised which is suitable for defining minimal erythemal doses both for open and closed parts of the body irrespective of pre-exposition to sun radiation.