FORGET SUNBURN.
ENJOY THE SUN.

Different kinds of reflective surfaces produce a different effect on a current ultravialet index (UV Index). UV rays can be reflected off of open water, grass, sand, snow, concrete and painted walls. You can get a sunburn in the shade or when skiing on a cold, winter day. Coarse and soft surfaces like grass are basically bounced less UV radiation than hard or smooth surfaces like concret. Less reflective colours could also be used to minimize exposure to UV rays. ## Reflective surfaces & UV Index Materials and the level of reflected Ultraviolet Radiation: *Material* | | *Reflected level (%)* :-------------|-------------------:| -------------------: **Asphat** |New black roadway | 4.1 | |Old grey roadway | 8.9 **Concrete** |Footpath | 8.2 – 12.0 **Grass** |Grassland | 0.8 – 1.6 | |Lawn | 2.0 – 5.0 **Fibreglass** |Fibreglass boat deck| 9.1 **Paint** |White house pain | 22.0 **Sand** |Wet beach sand | 7.1 | |Dry beach sand | 15.0 – 18.0 **Sand** |Wet beach sand | 7.1 **Soil** |Clay/humus | 4.0-6.0 **Water** |Open water | 3.3 | |Open ocean | 8.0 | |Sea surf/white foam | 25.0-30.0 **Snow** |Old snow | 50 | |New snow | 88 **Wood** |Wood boat deck | 6.6 ## UV Index reflection calculation [UVIMate](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.com.aershov.uvmate) calculates UV Index with consideration of reflection factor based on the current area conditions and with usage of the following alghoritm: ``` public double getReflectionFactor(String currentArea) { if (currentArea.equals("city"))) return 1.10; if (currentArea.equals("grassy_land"))) return 1.05; if (currentArea.equals("sandbeach"))) return 1.20; if (currentArea.equals("open_water"))) return 1.08; if (currentArea.equals("snow"))) return 1.6; if (currentArea.equals("not_set"))) return 1.0; return 1.0; } ``` ### References: 1. [Guide on exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation](https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/system/files/documents/1702/guide-exposure-solar-ultraviolet-radiation.pdf)