Photoprotection by Workwear: Ultraviolet Protection Factors for Artificial Radiation from Welding Arcs

Abstract

Photoprotection by clothing is one of the most effective protective measures against solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and the related concept of UV protection factors (UPF) for fabrics has proven itself for decades. Although immense work has been carried out regarding factors influencing textile sun protection, the idea of UPFs for artificial UVR, if necessary with different action spectra, is payed little attention. In this work, a modified UPF equation is proposed utilizing welding arcs and the ICNIRP action spectrum. These welding UPFs (wUPF) were calculated for some workwear as a function of welding power, technique and welded material. No wUPF welding power dependence existed. By means of normalized standard emission spectra, that were further clustered with regard to welding technique, it was found that the wUPF depends exclusively on the fabric’s transmittance and the ICNIRP weighting function yielding a reduced wUPF formula. Finally, a comparison of solar and welding UPFs, based on either their full or reduced equations, is discussed.

Polymeric Nano-Emulsion in Functional Textile Finishing

“…TiO2 nanomaterial for UV protection textiles is one of the specialized uses of nanomaterials for protective textiles [70]. UV protection fabrics are required in these high ultraviolet radiation (UVR) hazard-prone industrial work environments [71]. UV protection fabrics can also be employed in other industrial sectors such as aircraft and automobiles [72].…”

Development and evaluation of a multi-functional welding protective clothing system

“…For example, Wei 9 studied the effect of graphene coating on the thermal conductivity of welding protective clothing fabrics and found that graphene coating could reduce the temperature rise of the fabric about 30% from 27°C to 19°C. Stefan Bauer 10 conducted a series of analyses of light protection measures for welding protective clothing and proposed an improved method for welding protective clothing based on the idea of solar ultraviolet protection factor. Kim et al 11 evaluated the performance of materials for protective clothing used for welding in a hazardous shipbuilding work environment and found that among the materials selected, carbon dioxide/aramid blended fabrics appeared to be suitable for welding protective clothing.…”

Nanomaterials for UV protective textiles

“…Apart from the solar UV radiation, artificial UVR sources such as xenon arc or germicidal lamp, UVR emission from certain welding arc are significant. Therefore, UV protective textiles are also essential in these artificial significant UVR hazard industrial work areas [42]. Apart from these, UV protective textiles can be used for other industrial applications such as aerospace, automobile etc [43].…”