European commission research on the fluxes and effects of environmental UVB radiation

The research policy of the European Commission (EC) on the fluxes and effects of UVB radiation subsequent to stratospheric ozone depletion is described. Research on this subject is implemented at European Union (EU) level in the ENVIRONMENT research programme of the EC. In this report, current research efforts focus on stratospheric ozone depletion, measurements of the UVB flux at the Earth's surface, UVB biological dosimetry and the potential impacts of enhanced UVB flux on health and ecosystems. These activities take the form of field campaigns, concerted actions and shared-cost contract research and the overall objective of the research is to provide a firm scientific basis for future EU policy actions in this area. Priorities which have been identified for future research in the new ENVIRONMENT programme (1994–1998) are also detailed.