IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - September 2021 - 16

Leading Edge
Leading Edge
Sun Exposure and Physical Activity: The
Valuable Role of UV Wearables
Alyssa Henning
School for Engineering of Matter, Transport,
and Energy and School for the Future of
Innovation in Society, Arizona State University,
Tempe, AZ 85281 USA
Jennifer Vanos
School of Sustainability, Arizona State University,
Tempe, AZ 85281 USA
Nathan Downs
School of Sciences, University of Southern
Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
 Skin cancerS are one of the most common
types of cancer in the United States [1], and melanoma
has steadily increased over the last 20 years.
Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is known as the
main cause of damaging effects to the skin [1],
[2], yet also the most preventable risk factor. Outdoor
physical activity, an important health behavior,
exposes the body to UVR and is thus ostensibly
linked to increases the risk of sunburn, melanoma,
and non-melanoma skin cancers [3], [4]. Simultaneously,
new UVR sensors can play an essential role
in ensuring users gain enough sunlight for Vitamin
D synthesis for optimal health. However, accurately
monitoring personal UVR exposure is historically
complex and costly, and thus minimal research
exists at the intersection of personal UVR exposure
during physical activity.
Due to these above concerns, the wearable industry
is responding to the needs of researchers and consumers
with improved UV-wearable technologies.
Recent years have seen an influx of new technologies
with wide-ranging form factors, uses, and target
audiences. Some of these wearables are part of the
same consumer-based industry that has emerged for
smartwatches, fitness trackers, and running watches
that work in tandem with smartphones, tablets, and
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MTS.2021.3101927
Date of current version: 2 September 2021.
16
0278-0097/21©2021 IEEE
computers [5], [6] (e.g., Figure 1). Other advances
involve color-changing (photochromic) adhesives
or wristbands.
This leading-edge piece introduces current and
past personal UVR sensing technologies, specifically
the critical attributes, uses, and availability for
successful use. This piece also aims to help future
researchers involved in personal UVR exposure studies
understand sensor attributes and specifications
that are most appropriate for their given application
and sampling needs.
Various novel aspects of currently available
UVR-sensing wearables include practical and actionable
data displays for behavioral change, Bluetooth
connectivity, sensor programming, and user-specific
applications often relying on a smartphone.
These attributes may influence and motivate future
sensor development and research studies, such as
advanced personal applications for behavioral risk
reductions balanced with physical activity in the outdoor
environment for overall health and skin cancer
prevention.
Here, we provide a list and brief overview of
13 wearable UV dosimeters identified as available
for purchase using primary and grey literature. Of
these, four electronic sensors provide UVR doses
on the wearable itself, and six are photochromic.
Three wearables must use secondary devices or
laboratory analysis to obtain a dose value (filmbased
and Scienterra dosimeters), and they are
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IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - September 2021

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