County Level UV Exposure Data for the Continental United States

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation has long been recognized as the most important environmental risk factor for melanoma. Exposures in early childhood may be most important, and there is evidence that cumulative UV exposure and the time spent outdoors may increase melanoma risk. The following datasets have been developed to facilitate analysis of the link between potential UV exposure, melanoma, and other related diseases.

The datasets includes\ historical Average Daily Global Solar Radiation estimates (AVGLO) - a proxy measure for UV- in Wh/m² by county in the Continental US for the period 1961-1990* and the more recent 5-year average measures**.

County UV Estimates for the Period 1961-1999 and 2000-2024 (XLSX - 143 KB)

*A Comparison of Thiessen Polygon, Kriging, and Spline Models of Potential UV Exposure. Tatalovich, Z., Wilson, J.P., and Cockburn, M.G. Cartography and Geographic Information Science. 2006, 33(3): 217-237

** The input data has been obtained from the National Solar Radiation Database and further processed to generate county level daily average measures in Wh/m².