UV protective clothing: key to reducing skin damage, 2009 edition published by Textiles Intelligence in September, 2009. This report consists of 26 Pages and the price starts from US $ 520.
Abstract
The principal role of ultraviolet (UV) protective clothing is to protect the
skin against the harmful effects of the sun, notably skin cancer. This is one
of the most prevalent forms of cancer but, fortunately, it is also one of the
most preventable.
Public awareness about the dangers of excessive exposure to the sun has grown
considerably in recent years. However, large sections of the public remain
unaware that UV protective clothing exists or that UV resistance in
conventional clothing can be increased. Consequently, they rely on sunscreen
for UV protection.
The slow and limited adoption of UV protection in clothing by mainstream
consumers may be partly due to the fact that it can not be seen or felt -
unlike other performance features such as moisture management and stretch.
In the early 1990s UV protective clothing was considered to be a niche market
as it comprised mainly swimwear for children and babywear. Its lack of
popularity among adults was due to its relatively high cost, and the
perception that it was heavy, hot and uncomfortable to wear.
However, in the past decade, a number of companies have introduced UV
protective fabrics and garments which do not sacrifice comfort, breathability
or other desirable characteristics commonly associated with good performance
apparel. Furthermore, high quality UV protective clothing today is both
functional and fashionable. It is typically made from lightweight, breathable
fabrics, and can provide as much protection from UV radiation as heavyweight
denim.
Looking ahead, it has been projected by some authorities that consumers will
come to expect their outdoor apparel to offer UV protection - in the same way
as they expect it to be waterproof or insulating today. Others in the industry
are less optimistic, and believe that it will take some time before garment
manufacturers and consumers fully understand the benefits of UV protective
clothing.
Table of Contents
SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
UV RADIATION AND ITS EFFECTS
- Solar UV index
- Effects of UV radiation on human health
- The link between UV radiation and cancer
- Effects of UV radiation on textiles
PROTECTION AGAINST UV RADIATION
- The need for protection against UV radiation
- Sun awareness campaigns
- Methods of protecting against UV radiation
- Role of clothing in UV protection
- Effect of the design and fit of a garment
MEASURING THE PENETRATION OF UV RADIATION THROUGH FABRICS
- Ultraviolet protection factor
- UPF Certification Scheme
FABRIC PROPERTIES WHICH INFLUENCE UV TRANSMISSION
- Effect of fabric composition
- Effect of fabric construction
- Fabric density
- Optical porosity
- Cover factor
- Breathability
- Surface finish
- Effect of fabric weight
- Effect of fabric stretch and shrinkage
- Effect of moisture content
- Effect of fabric condition
- Effect and presence of dyes in the fabric
- Effect of finishing treatments and additives in the fabric
- Combination of fabric properties which influence UV protection
METHODS OF BOOSTING UV PROTECTION IN CLOTHING
- Incorporating UV absorbers
- New methods of applying UV absorbers to apparel fabrics
- Incorporating optical brightening agents
- Laundering
INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR UV PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
MARKET FOR UV PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
CONCLUSIONS
List of tables
- Table 1: Solar UV index
- Table 2: Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) ratings
- Table 3: Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) classification
- Table 4: Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating of 236 summer fabrics
of different fibre types
- Table 5: Optical porosity, cover factor and maximum theoretical
ultraviolet protection factor (UPF)
- Table 6: Relationship between fibre type, density, weight and ultraviolet
protection factor (UPF)
- Table 7: Relationship between the weight and ultraviolet protection factor
(UPF) ratings of undyed cotton fabric, Modal fabric and Modal Sun fabric
samples
- Table 8: Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) ratings for cotton and
polyester fabrics, by colour
- Table 9: Ultraviolet protection factors (UPF) for a knitted fabric before
and after treatment with a cellulase enzyme
- Table 10: Examples of fabric properties which provide excellent UV
protection and those which provide poor UV protection
- Table 11: Examples of fabrics and garments which provide good UV
protection and those which provide poor UV protection
- Table 12: Effect of various treatments on the UV protective properties of
white cotton T-shirt fabric
- Table 13: Sun protective clothing standards in Australia, New Zealand, the
USA and Europe
