PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Sun protective clothing and other protective materials
The main things to look for in sun protective clothing are:
- high UPF rating
- shirts with long sleeves and high collars
- a hat that shades the face, back of the neck and ears
- tightly woven fabrics
- loose fitting clothing, which is usually more protective than tight clothing
- dark colours.
One of the best ways to protect yourself from UV radiation is to wear well-designed clothing covering your body, including your arms and legs.
Similar to the SPF rating the UPF rating provides an indication of the level of protection a particular piece of clothing will provide from ultraviolet radiation. Fabric with a UPF rating of 25 will only allow 1/25 of UVR to pass through it, a UPF 15 fabric, 1/15 and so on. The highest UPF rating for fabrics is UPF 50+.
UPF rating
|
% UVR absorbed
|
|
10
|
90.0
|
|
20
|
95.0
|
|
30
|
96.7
|
|
40
|
97.5
|
|
50+
|
98
|
What affects the UPF of fabric?
1. Composition - different materials (eg. cotton, nylon, polyester) have different natural UVR-absorbing properties
2. Weave - tightly woven or knitted fabrics will allow less UVR to pass through than those with a looser weave, as shown in the examples below
Reproduced from ‘Clothing and protection against solar UVR: Current status', Gies HP, Roy CR, MacLennan A, Toomey S; J Home Eco Inst Australia 5; s8-s11, 1998
3. Colour - darker colours usually block a higher proportion of UVR
4. Weight - generally the heavier the weight, the more UVR a fabric will absorb
5. Condition - fabrics that are worn, wet or stretched may have reduced protection from UVR
6. Treatments - some garments are treated with a UVR absorber to increase the UPF rating
Where can I buy UPF rated clothing?
Many sports stores, department stores and children's stores stock clothing with UPF ratings. You can also try Cancer Councils and Cancer Charities in your state.
Sunglasses
All sunglasses sold in Australia must comply with Australian Standards, and therefore provide good protection against UVR. Side shields are important to prevent UVR entering from the side of the glasses.
Sunglasses are also rated with an Eye Protection Factor. See our eye protection section to find out more.
What else can help protect against UVR?
Shade cloth - acts as a physical barrier to solar radiation. The amount of UVR let through corresponds to the amount of light let through. So, the more you can see through it, the more UVR can get through. Some double knit shade cloths have been measured with UPFs as high as 20.
Umbrellas - similar to clothing in their effectiveness as UV protection. Generally, the denser the weave of the umbrella's fabric, the higher the UPF. Umbrellas with plastic coating may provide more protection, as most plastics absorb UVR well. To be sure, look for an umbrella with a high UPF rating. UPF 50+ umbrellas are available.
Window glass - different types of glass provide very different levels of protection against solar UVR. For example, car side windows (UPF 12), laminated car windscreens (UPF 50+), house windows (UPF 10), and office building glass (UPF 50+). Tinting can increase protection considerably.
This information has been provided from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.