Characterization and application of UV detector spore films: the sensitivity curve of a new detector system provides good similarity to the action spectrum for UV-induced erythema in human skin

TLDR: The UV action spectra of two different biologically weighting UV photofilms (spore films) produced with Bacillus subtilis spores are determined at the Okasaki large spectrograph (OLS) within the level of wavelength range 254-400 nm, yielding a sensitivity curve similar to the action spectrum for erythemal induction in human skin.

Abstract: The UV action spectra of two different biologically weighing UV protofilms (spore films), produced with Bacillus subtilis spores (wild-type and DNA repair-deficient strains), were determined at the Okasaki large spectrograph (OLS) within the wavelength range 254–400 nm. The action spectrum of the mutant strain film was modified with a cut-off filter, yielding a sensitivity curve similar to the action spectrum for erythemal induction in human skin. The detector system was tested in a field study and in a study using lamps with different UV spectral compositions. The systems demonstrated its applicability over the spectral region from λ = 290 nm to the visible light. The system could be calibrated to give the minimal erythemal dose.