A comprehensive approach to evaluating and classifying sun-protective clothing
Article
Article Title | A comprehensive approach to evaluating and classifying sun-protective clothing |
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ERA Journal ID | 15829 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Downs, N. J. (Author) and Harrison, S. L. (Author) |
Journal Title | British Journal of Dermatology |
Journal Citation | 178 (4), pp. 958-964 |
Number of Pages | 7 |
Year | 2018 |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 0007-0963 |
1365-2133 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.15938 |
Web Address (URL) | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/bjd.15938 |
Abstract | 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 USA. 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 versus 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. 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. |
Keywords | sun-protective clothing, GPF, UPF, standard, skin cancer |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 420605. Preventative health care |
350505. Occupational and workplace health and safety | |
519999. Other physical sciences not elsewhere classified | |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences |
James Cook University | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q46q0/a-comprehensive-approach-to-evaluating-and-classifying-sun-protective-clothing
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