Rating clothing for sun protection: current status in Australia

Abstract

Clothing has been promoted as a major sun protection measure for some time, yet its performance in this role has only recently been studied. The principal test methods for measuring the photoprotectiveriess of clothing are: in vitro testing, in which ultraviolet transmission through a garment is measured; and in vivo testing, where protection by tbe garment from human skin erythema is assessed. Our research team has been studying the fabric properties and design factors involved in photoprotection by clothing so that more effective products can be developed. Fabric properties identified include: the construction and fibre type used, tbe stretch and hydration states, and ultraviolet-absorbing dyes and chemicals incorporated. An exciting innovation has been the use of an ultraviolet absorber which dramatically improves a garment's rating. In Australia, we are about to have the world's first standard for rating sun-protective clothing.

Field‐based measurements of personal erythemal ultraviolet exposure through a common summer garment

“…The UPF of many materials increases after the first time they are wet (8). To prevent the UPF of the garments changing during the research, all measurements of the UPF were after the first wetting.…”

“…Fabric properties affecting the UV transmission through clothing have been determined as construction, weight, fibre type, stretch, hydration, wash and wear, colour and UV absorbers in the material (7)(8)(9)(10)(11). The effect of stretch and wetting on the UPF of elastane fabrics has been investigated (12).…”

Protection from visible light by commonly used textiles is not predicted by ultraviolet protection

“…28 The UPF has been proposed as a parameter for the UV protection of fabrics. [7][8][9] As with sunscreens, this protection factor will mainly indicate the degree of protection against UV(B). The main purpose herein has been to evaluate the protection against UV-induced erythema because UV-protecting fabrics have been promoted primarily as protection against sunburn for which the information provided by the UPF will be sufficient.…”

“…Clothing fabrics have been proposed in the treatment of photosensitive patients 2,3 as well as for protection against xeroderma pigmentosum 4 and premalignant lesions. 5,6 Clothing can be labeled with a protection factor in the ultraviolet (UV) range (ultraviolet protection factor; UPF), 7,8 in the same way as the SPF for sunscreens. Different methods have been used.…”

“…Different methods have been used. [2][3][4][5]7,[9][10][11] Commercial summer fabrics, however, frequently provide insufficient UV protection. 12 Labeling is already available in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the United States, and Canada, although this may vary from one country to another.…”