The Relationship Between PM2.5 and the Action Spectrum of Ultraviolet Radiation for Vitamin D Production Based on a Manikin Model

Objectives: Fine particulate matter (PM
_2.5
) is the principal air pollutant and poses a serious threat to public health. This study explored the effects of PM
_2.5
on the action spectrum of ultraviolet radiation for vitamin D production (UV
_vitD
) received by manikin surfaces. Methods: Multi-inclination angle ultraviolet radiation monitoring was conducted with different concentrations of PM
_2.5
. Combining monitoring data with the PM
_2.5
concentration, solar elevation angle (SEA), and inclination angle, a UV
_vitD
exposure model for human body multi-inclined surfaces was constructed through a multiple linear regression analysis. A 3D manikin model was used to examine the PM
_2.5
effects on UV
_vitD
received by the manikin surface. Results: When PM
_2.5
concentrations ranged from 35 μg/m
³
to 100 μg/m
³
(average concentration of PM
_2.5
in this range: 62 μg/m
³
), the UV
_vitD
received by the whole body was reduced by approximately 8.45% to 19.82% compared with the UV
_vitD
received when PM
_2.5
concentrations ranged from 6 μg/m
³
to 35 μg/m
³
(average concentration of PM
_2.5
in this range: 17 μg/m
³
) with SEAs between 30° and 50°. Moreover, the UV
_vitD
dose was reduced by 11.82% in the above comparisons. When further comparing PM
_2.5
concentrations from 100 μg/m
³
to 161 μg/m
³
(average concentration of PM
_2.5
in this range: 132 μg/m
³
) with those from 6 μg/m
³
to 35 μg/m
³
(average concentration of PM
_2.5
in this range: 17 μg/m
³
), the UV
_vitD
received by the whole body was reduced by approximately 21.6% to 50.64% at SEAs between 30° and 50°. The UVvitD dose was reduced by 30.2%. Conclusions: The occurrence of PM
_2.5
obviously reduced the UV
_vitD
received by the manikin surface.