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A comprehensive approach to evaluating and classifying sun‐protective clothing
Author(s) -
Downs N.J.,
Harrison S.L.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.15938
Subject(s) - clothing , sun protection , textile , ultraviolet radiation , environmental science , engineering , computer science , medicine , environmental health , geography , chemistry , archaeology , radiochemistry
Summary Background National standards for clothing designed to protect the wearer from the harmful effects of solar ultraviolet radiation ( UVR ) have been implemented in Australia/New Zealand, Europe and the U.S.A. Industry standards reflect the need to protect the skin by covering a considerable proportion of the potentially exposed body surface area ( BSA ) and by reducing UVR ‐transmission through fabric (the Ultraviolet Protection Factor; UPF ). Objectives This research aimed to develop a new index for rating sun‐protective clothing that incorporates the BSA coverage of the garment in addition to the UPF of the fabric. Methods A mannequin model was fixed to an optical bench and marked with horizontal lines at 1‐cm intervals. An algorithm (the Garment Protector Factor; GPF ) was developed based on the number of lines visible on the clothed vs. unclothed mannequin and the UPF of the garment textile. This data was collected in 2015/16 and analysed in 2016. Results The GPF weights fabric UPF by BSA coverage above the minimum required by international sun‐protective clothing standards for upper‐body, lower‐body and full‐body garments. The GPF increases with BSA coverage of the garment and fabric UPF . Three nominal categories are proposed for the GPF : 0 ≤ GPF < 3 for garments that ‘meet’ minimum standards; 3 ≤ GPF < 6 for garments providing ‘good’ sun protection; and GPF ≥ 6 indicating ‘excellent’ protection. Conclusions Adoption of the proposed rating scheme should encourage manufacturers to design sun‐protective garments that exceed the minimum standard for BSA coverage, with positive implications for skin cancer prevention, consumer education and sun‐protection awareness.