Estimation of the effect of increasing UVB exposure on the human immune system and related resistance to infectious diseases and tumours

Exposure to UV light has, besides some beneficial effects (vitamin D production), many harmful effects on human health. WE irradiation has been shown to suppress both systemic and local immune responses to a variety of antigens, including some microorganisms. However, it is still not known whether such immunomodulating effects may lead to an increase in the number and severity of certain rumours and/or infections in humans. We report herein the data provided by a project that was funded by the European Union (Programme Environment), and that was aimed at the estimation of the risk associated with increased UVB exposure due to ozone depletion regarding the deleterious effects on the immune system and related resistance to tumours and infections in humans. The data, obtained by the different research groups involved, were assembled and used to calculate for the first time a risk assessment for increased environmental exposure to UVB in subjects. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.