UVBstä

UVBstä is a term used to describe a class of instruments and methods designed to measure ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiance in outdoor and laboratory settings. The term appears in some Swedish-language sources and is used to refer to devices that quantify UVB exposure for research, health, and safety applications.

Most UVBstä instruments employ a UVB-sensitive photodiode or photodiode array, paired with a narrow-band optical filter that transmits roughly 280–315 nm. The sensor is integrated with a signal processor and data logger, providing irradiance in watts per square meter (W/m^2) and cumulative dose (J/m^2) over user-defined intervals. Calibration uses a traceable UV standard and may account for temperature and angle-of-incidence.

Data from UVBstä devices support assessment of erythemal risk, sunscreen efficacy studies, and epidemiological exposure analysis. They are used in field campaigns to map UVB variability across landscapes and times of day, and can be paired with solar position models to estimate daily dose. Limitations include filter degradation, cross-sensitivity to UVA, and the need for regular calibration.

The concept reflects ongoing efforts to standardize UVB exposure measurement across disciplines. While not a single standardized product, UVBstä denotes both portable meters and fixed stations designed to monitor UVB flux, complementing broader UV indices by providing direct spectral irradiance data.