Overview
ISO/CIE 28077:2016 defines an action spectrum (weighting function) for photocarcinogenesis of non‑melanoma skin cancers. The standard provides tabulated and graphical values that quantify the relative effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) radiation across wavelengths (250 nm–400 nm) for inducing non‑melanoma skin tumours. The action spectrum is derived from experimental laboratory data (primarily animal studies) and was adjusted to estimate human skin response for use in risk assessment and regulatory applications.
Key topics
- Scope and purpose: Specifies a biological hazard function used to relate UV dose to photocarcinogenic risk for non‑melanoma skin cancers.
- Spectral range and data: Tabulated effectiveness values and a plotted action spectrum are provided for wavelengths from about 250 nm up to 400 nm; values are normalized within the table (peak ≈1 at ~299 nm).
- Experimental basis and limitations:
- Principal data originate from mouse models (SCUP - Skin Cancer Utrecht‑Philadelphia) with an estimated human correction (SCUP‑h).
- Experimental evidence is sufficient down to ~250 nm; data are not sufficient above 400 nm.
- Noted uncertainties in the UV‑A1 region (340–400 nm), where fine structure is ill‑defined; the committee flattened the plateau near 340 nm to reduce uncertainty for regulatory use.
- Format and content: Includes definitions, tabulated and exponential effectiveness values, a plotted action spectrum (Figure 1), and a bibliography of foundational studies.
Applications
ISO/CIE 28077:2016 is intended for professionals and organizations that need a standardized spectral weighting for assessing UV‑induced skin cancer risk:
- Public health and environmental agencies - for population risk assessments related to solar UV exposure and ozone‑depletion scenarios.
- Occupational safety and regulators - to develop exposure limits, workplace guidance, and regulatory policy involving UV sources.
- Research and photobiology - for dose‑response studies, epidemiology, and modelling of photocarcinogenic risk.
- Instrument manufacturers and laboratories - to implement biologically effective UV measurements and spectral weighting in radiometers and measurement protocols.
- Lighting and UV device designers - for risk evaluation of artificial UV sources (note: the standard cautions against exploiting uncertain fine structure for lamp optimization).
Related standards
- CIE S 017/E:2011 (International Lighting Vocabulary) - referenced for terms and definitions.
- CIE 138/2 (Action Spectrum for Photocarcinogenesis) - prior CIE report forming the basis of the action spectrum.
- ISO 28077:2006 - previous edition replaced by ISO/CIE 28077:2016.
Keywords: ISO/CIE 28077:2016, photocarcinogenesis action spectrum, non‑melanoma skin cancer, UV action spectrum, biologically effective UV, SCUP, UV risk assessment.