Davis Instruments 6152C Benutzerhandbuch

44

MED (Minimum Erythemal Dose) is defined as the amount of sunlight exposure neces-
sary to induce a barely perceptible redness of the skin within 24 hours after sun expo-
sure. In other words, exposure to 1 MED will result in a reddening of the skin. Because 
different skin types burn at different rates, 1 MED for persons with very dark skin is 
different from 1 MED for persons with very light skin.
Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Environment Canada have 
developed skin type categories correlating characteristics of skin with rates of sunburn.  

1 - Never tans,

 always burns

Pale or milky white; 

alabaster

Develops red sunburn; painful swelling, 

skin peels

2 - Sometimes tans, 

usually burns

Very light brown; 

sometimes freckles

Usually burns, pinkish or red coloring 

appears; can gradually develop light 

brown tan

3 - Usually tans,

sometimes burns

Light tan; brown, or

 olive; distinctly 

pigmented

Rarely burns; shows moderately rapid 

tanning response

4 - Always tans;

rarely burns

Brown, dark brown, or 

black

Rarely burns; shows very rapid tanning 

response