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With the global climatic changes causing a reduction of the ozone layer, UV protection has become a widely discussed topic. The typical “sun seeker” of the tourist community uses the classic skin protection i.e. sun screens and sun blockers. As their exposure to the sun is generally limited to the vacation period, the damage potential of excess UV radiation is somewhat reduced as opposed to the working population with a constant exposure to a high rate of sunshine.
Doctors believe that appropriate clothing can serve as UV protection much better than sun screens or sun blockers. We are talking about professionals spending a long time outdoors such as builders, gardeners, farmers, law enforcement officers and military personnel. Industrial cleaners, especially window cleaners serving high-rise buildings also fall into this category.
Apart from the UV protection properties, an important criterion for clothing is the life expectancy or life cycle as this is directly cost related. That is the reason why sustainability was always given the priority over wear comfort. This is especially counter productive for people who have to exert themselves physically in a hot climate. That is why the Hohenstein Institutes develop working clothes which provide adequate UV protection and which are at the same time optimised physiologically. That means that the garments or uniforms should be as comfortable as casual clothes but offer all physiological aspects, such as breathability, sweat absorption and wear comfort in addition to UV protection.
It is a misconception believing that any kind of clothing offers UV protection. Depending on the type and density of the fibre, the surface finish, the structure and the colour of the textile, the UV protection factor can vary considerably.
Dr. Bauer, a researcher from the Hohenstein Institutes states that the aim of the scientists is to develop clothing which is functional for the trade where it is used with perfect UV protection characteristics. The researchers have already gone a long way towards achieving this goal and have come up with the first functional samples. A long sleeved shirt which was developed has a UV protection factor (UPF) of 80 in particularly exposed areas such as the shoulders. Various material compositions are used in areas like arms, armpits and stomach area with increased thermo physiological and skin sensory characteristics thus adding to the wear comfort.
Keeping a cool head in hot missions
Sun protection capabilities of uniforms and gear for the military or for law enforcement officers is a hot topic especially when these people have to operate in areas with extensive solar intensity.
A high UV protection factor for clothing and head gear can help to prevent health damage by hyperthermia or skin cancer. Especially caps, helmets and camouflage jackets should be equipped with sufficient UV protection because these cover body parts that show most sensitive to sun damage.
Dr. Andreas Schmidt of the International Textile Research Centre Hohenstein explains that textiles provide better sun protection than sun blockers because of the fact that the fibres of the special textiles have e.g. titanium dioxide particles incorporated like the sun creams. They act as tiny mirrors reflecting the high-energy UV rays and therefore protect the skin of the wearer. The UV protection in textiles can even be intensified by placing several layers one on top of each other. This is especially important for loosely knitted fabrics to close the gap through which UV rays can penetrate.
Silk has a better UV protection factor because like modern synthetic fibres it contains matting components which reflect and absorb UV rays. Depending on the colour the UPF may be 20-30. There is a good reason why in India silk sarongs are worn in several layers thus increasing UV protection.
UV Protection factor UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and UV Standard 801 The UV protection factor (UPF) indicates how much longer the user of sun protection textiles or the wearer of UV protection clothing can stay in the sun without damaging their skin.
The UPF is the same as the sun or light protection factor on sun creams (SPF or LSF). For both the basis for calculation is what is called the “natural protection time of the skin”, but this varies greatly depending on the individual skin type.
For example the skin of a person with skin type 1, red or blond hair, blue eyes and a very pale complexion, has a natural protection time of about five to ten minutes. If such a person is exposed to strong sunlight for longer without protection, it could result in severe sunburn.
If protected by a textile material with UPF 60, exposure to the sun of the same person can be extended 60 fold which means, that the person could stay in the sun for 300 minutes or 5 hours without risking sunburn of the protected areas.
The Hohenstein researchers calculate the UPF by using the particularly stringent UV Standard 801. The measuring method is based on real-life wearing conditions meaning that the UV protection factor of a textile is calculated after artificial aging, stretching and moistening. Using the “worst case principle”, only the lowest value determines the UV factor.
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