Solar radiation is essential for human health. The body needs it to form vitamin D. But, ultraviolet rays present great potential stress to the skin. Dermatologists have seen a significant increase in skin cancer worldwide. In the U.S., skin cancer is diagnosed more than all other cancers combined.
Children, whose skin is still very thin and without the full protective mechanisms that develop around age 15, are at higher risk. People who work outdoors for extended time periods (i.e. construction workers, road workers or gardeners) require optimized workwear.
Prevent UV damage with textiles.
Even the strongest cosmetic sunblock offers a maximum Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50. What’s more, for long-lasting protection, it must be applied several times and used correctly: 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied after being washed or rubbed off.
In comparison, clothing and shading textiles are ideal for practical UV protection. Depending on the design, textiles can achieve an ultraviolet protection factor of up to UPF 80, meaning the user stays protected for up to 80 times longer than intrinsic protection allows (dependent on skin type).
Textile UV protection can be maximized with the right materials and construction. We must also consider usage, as UPF can change significantly with stretching of the garment on the body or aging of the shade, for example.
For the UV STANDARD 801, we consider important aspects of use, including stretching of the textile, wetting of clothing, weathering of shading textiles, aging by certain abrasion and washing cycles and many more. We also assume maximum radiation intensity with the solar spectrum in Melbourne, Australia on January 1st (peak of the Australian summer).
Consumers cannot judge a product's effectiveness against UV rays by sight or touch. Based on standardized measurement procedures and neutral testing, we assign comparable and reliable values for the UV protection of garments or shades. We also offer certifications and product labels based on international standards.
In addition to consumer safety and claim verification, Hohenstein tests the UPF for product and material optimization during development.
Standard or customized testing can be used to consider all situations (e.g. industrial laundering, washing procedures for shades, PPE, body coverage requiremnets, pre-treatments, etc).
Skin is also damaged by artificial UV radiation. To specify the UV protection factor of protective clothing for welders, for example, we calculate the UV transmission for personal protective equipment, which can then be used to determine the maximum usage duration of the textiles in the respective welding process.
There is a direct link between exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radation and skin cancer.
See world health organization (WHO) information
Factor calculation considers the solar spectrum, typical skin reddening, etc., not just the pure measurements.
