SUNSHINE is a greater risk to anyone standing outdoors than was previously thought, say researchers.
Present ultraviolet exposure figures - forming the UV index - are based on how much radiation hits a horizontal surface.
But this under-estimates how much UV hits a vertical surface when the sun in low in the sky, say the German researchers.
They have developed a new way of assessing UV exposure that is said to be more accurate.
The scientists measured the radiation hitting 27 surfaces inclined at different angles at three places in Germany.
Data from readings taken every two minutes were collected over three years.
They used the information to construct a 3D model of the human body, showing accurate UV exposure in different sunlight conditions and body postures.
The model also took into account UV reflected off nearby surfaces.
It showed that even at midday, parts of the body would receive higher doses of UV than predicted by the UV index.
In some circumstances, a person standing would receive more UV than if lying down, added the researchers.
