Lok Sabha Question No. 1738 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Radiation Levels
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV, PASHUPATI NATH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1738 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2015

## Radiation Levels

## 1738.  SHRI LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV:

SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the ultraviolet radiation levels were on an alarming increase in Delhi during 15th May to 30th May this year;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  Ultraviolet  Index  (UV)  figures  in  this  regard  and  the  effects  of  UV radiation on human health;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  survey  in  this  regard  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to reduce its effects?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## (SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)

- (a-b)  The radiation level does  not reflect alarming values this year during 15th May  to  30th May as  UV  index  usually  reach  at  these  levels  during  peak  summer.  The  UV  index  recorded  at Delhi was in Medium to High Risk during this period. The UV index levels ranged between 0 to 8  as  per  observational  data  of  Earth  System  Science  Organisation-India  Meteorological Department (ESSO-IMD).

The UV flux were within the normal variation range for entire day during this period, when compared with the last six years of data. The average peak value of UV flux during May 15-31, 2015 was 39 watt per sq meter which was actually less than the average peak value in this period during the last six years (2010-2015) which was about 43 watt per sq meter. The UV Index for this period is given in Annexure-1.

UV radiation exposure categories defined by ESSO -Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) is given below.

| UV index range   | Risk Level   | Health Advisory                                                                                                                                                      |
|------------------|--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1-4              | No Risk      | No health risk to General public                                                                                                                                     |
| 3 to 5           | Low Risk     | Little risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. It is advisable to use UV-protective accessories for sensitive people, general public less likely to be affected. |
| 6 to 9           | Medium Risk  | Sensitive people are at medium risk of harm from direct exposure to sun. It is advisable to use UV-protective accessories by general public as well.                 |
| >10              | High Risk    | All people are at high risk of harm. It is advisable to avoid direct sun exposure.                                                                                   |

- (c)      ESSO - IMD is monitoring UV index at Lodhi road, New Delhi regularly.
- (d) The advisory for Medium Risk is 'Sensitive people are at risk of harm from direct exposure to sun.  It  is  advisable  to  use  UV-protective  accessories  by  general  public  as  well',  whereas advisory for health effect for High Risk is 'all people are at risk'. It is advisable to avoid direct exposure to the sun.' Prolonged human exposure to solar UV radiation may result in acute and chronic health effects on the skin, eye and other immune systems.

| Date       |   UV Index |
|------------|------------|
| 15-05-2015 |       5.44 |
| 16-05-2015 |       6.12 |
| 17-05-2015 |       7.92 |
| 18-05-2015 |       6.84 |
| 19-05-2015 |       5.64 |
| 20-05-2015 |       7.72 |
| 21-05-2015 |       8    |
| 22-05-2015 |       7.04 |
| 23-05-2015 |       7.52 |
| 24-05-2015 |       6.44 |
| 25-05-2015 |       6.72 |
| 26-05-2015 |       7    |
| 27-05-2015 |       7.28 |
| 28-05-2015 |       7.16 |
| 29-05-2015 |       7.6  |
| 30-05-2015 |       7.9  |

Annexure-1