Sun protective clothing is clothing specifically designed for sun protection and is produced from a fabric rated for its level of ultraviolet (UV) protection. Some textiles and fabrics employed in the use of sun protective clothing may be pre-treated with UV inhibiting ingredients during manufacture to enhance their UV blocking capacity. A novel weave structure and denier (thread count per inch) may also prescribe sun protective properties. It has been suggested that folding clothes be merged into this article or section. ... Sunday textile market on the sidewalks of Karachi, Pakistan. ... Ultraviolet (UV) light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than soft X-rays. ...

Not only limited to UV-inhibiting textile use, sun protective clothing may also adhere to specific design parameters - including styling appropriate to full coverage of the skin most succeptible to UV damage. Long sleeves, full collars and full length pants (not shorts) are common styles if one is to wear clothing as a sun protective measure.

A number of fabrics and textiles in common use today need no further UV-blocking enhancement based on their inherent fiber structure, density of weave, and dye components - especially darker colors and indigo dyes. Good examples of these fabrics contain full percentages and/or blends of heavy weight natural fibers like cotton, linen and hemp or light-weight synthetics such as polyester, nylon, lycra and polypropelene. Natural or synthetic indigo dyed denim, twill weaves and canvas are also good examples. However, a significant disadvantage is the heat retention caused by heavier weight and darker colored fabrics. Fiber or fibre[1] is a class of materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces, similar to lengths of thread. ... Density (symbol: ρ - Greek: rho) is a measure of mass per volume. ... In computer science, weaving describes the process of combining different aspects into a complete application. ... Yarn drying after being dyed in the early American tradition, at Conner Prairie living history museum. ... Indigo is the color of light between 440 to 420 nanometres in wavelength, placing it between blue and violet. ... SEM picture of a bend in a high surface area polyester fiber with a seven-lobed cross section Polyester is a category of polymers, or, more specifically condensation polymers, which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. ... Nylon represents a family of synthetic polymers, a thermoplastic material, first produced on February 28, 1935 by Gerard J. Berchet of Wallace Carothers research group at DuPont. ... Lycra is INVISTAs trademark for a synthetic polyurethane-based elastane textile with elastic properties of the sort known generically as spandex. As with other spandex materials, Lycra is commonly used in athletic or active clothing, such as clothes for cycling, swimwear, leotards and dancewear, as well as in underclothes. ... Natural is defined as of or relating to nature; this applies to both definitions of nature: essence (ones true nature) and the untouched world (force of nature). Natural is often used meaning good, healthy, or belonging to human nature. This use can be questioned, as many freely growing plants... Generally, synthetic means pertaining to synthesis, i. ... ε:This article is about the material denim. ... Canvas is an extremely heavy-duty fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, and other functions where sturdiness is required. ...

As sun protective clothing is usually meant to be worn during warm and humid temperatures, some UV-blocking textiles and clothing may be designed with ventilated weaves, moisture wicking and antibacterial properties to assist in cooling and breathability. Humidity is the quantity of moisture in the air. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... An antiseptic is a substance that kills or prevents the growth of bacteria on the external surfaces of the body. ...

History

Sun protective clothing was originally popularized (but not exclusive to use) in Australia as an option or adjunct to sunscreen lotions and sublock creams. Sun protective clothing and UV protective fabrics in Australia now follow a lab-testing procedure regulated by a federal agency: ARPANSA. To date, the focus for sun protection is swimwear, appropriate hats, shade devices and sunglasses for children. Womans bathing suit, 1920s, USA A swimsuit (also swimmers), bathing suit (also bathers) or swimming costume (sometimes shortened to cozzie) is an item of clothing designed to be worn for swimming. ... Look up hats in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

The original UPF rating system was enhanced in the United States by the ASTM (American Standards and Testing Methods) Committee D13:65 at the behest of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to qualify and standardize the emerging sun protective clothing and textile industry. The UPF rating system may eventually be adopted by interested apparel and domestic textile/fabric manufacturers in the industry at large as a "value added" program strategic to complement consumer safety and awareness. ASTM International is an international voluntary standards organization that develops and produces technical standards for materials, products, systems and services. ... The United States Food and Drug Administration is the government agency responsible for regulating food, dietary supplements, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, biologics and blood products in the United States. ...

Fabric

Factors that affect the level of sun protection provided by a fabric, in approximate order of importance, include weave, color, weight, stretch, and wetness. In addition, UV absorbers may be added at various points in the manufacturing process to enhance UV protection levels. In computer science, weaving describes the process of combining different aspects into a complete application. ... Color is an important part of the visual arts. ... In the physical sciences, weight is a measurement of the gravitational force acting on an object. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

UPF rating

A relatively new rating designation for sun protective textiles and clothing is UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor). Unlike SPF (Sun Protection Factor} that measures only UVB, UPF measures both UVA and UVB. SPF is an acronym for: Singapore Police Force sun protection factor (of sunscreen) South Pacific Forum Sender Permitted From or Sender Policy Framework Sygate Personal Firewall or Sygate Personal Firewall Pro Super Plastic Forming (SPF) Specific pathogen-free animals Single point of failure in systems Mixed softwood lumber coming from...

Developed in 1998 by Committee RA106, the testing standard for sun protective fabrics in the United States is the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Test Method 183. This method is based on the original guidelines established in Australia in 1997. [Stanford, Duncan G., Georgouras, Katherine E. & Pailthorpe, Michael T. (1997) Rating clothing for sun protection: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology 8 (1), 12-17.]

Summary UPF Testing Protocol

AATCC 183 method indicates a UPF rating for a fabric/textile is the ratio of UV measured without the protection of the fabric (compared to) with protection of the fabric. For example, a fabric rated UPF 30 means that if 30 units of UV fall on the fabric only 1 unit will pass through. A UPF 30 fabric that blocks or absorbs 29 out of 30 units of UV is therefore blocking 96.7% UV. UPF tests are normally conducted in a laboratory with a spectrophotometer or a spectroradiometer. In physics, spectrophotometry is the quantitative study of spectra. ... Spectroradiometers, (aka - spectraradiometer) which operate almost like the visible region spectrophotometers are designed to measure the spectral power distributions of illuminants in order to evaluate and catagorize lighting for sales by the manufacturer or for the customers to confirm the lamp they decided to purchase is within their specifications. ...

AATCC 183 should be used in conjunction with other related standards including American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D 6544 and ASTM D 6603. ASTM D 6544 specifies simulating the life cycle of a fabric so that a UPF test can be done at the end of a fabric’s life cycle – which is when most fabrics provide the most reduced level of UV protection. ASTM D 6603 is a consumer format recommended for visible hangtag and care labelling of sun protective clothing and textiles. A manufacturer may publish a test result to a maximum of UPF 50+.

While there is some correlation between the amount of visible light that passes through a fabric and the amount of UV that passes the same fabric, it is not a strong relationship. Based on some of the new-technology fibers and textiles designed for the sole purpose of UV blocking, it is not always possible to gain a good understanding of the UV protection level of a fabric simply by holding it up and examining how much visible light passes through the fabric. The optical spectrum (light or visible spectrum) is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. ...

Sun protective clothing and textile/fabric manufacturers are currently a self-regulating industry in North America, prescribed by the AATCC and ASTM methods of testing.

See also: Suntanning Sunglasses Umbrellas Sun & Sun Shade Devices A model of Scentual Sun demonstrates the differences between clear skin and a sun tan. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Umbrella An umbrella is a device used for temporary shade or shelter from precipitation. ... The Sun is the star of our solar system. ...

References

• Gies, H.P., Roy, C.R., Elliot, G., & Zongli, W. (1994). "Ultraviolet Radiation Protection Factors for Clothing". Health Physics 67 (2): 131-139.
• Gambichler, T., Rotterdam, Altmeyer, P., & Hoffmann, K. (2001). "Protection against ultraviolet radiation by commercial summer clothing: need for standardized testing and labelling.". BMC (BioMed Central) Dermatology I: 6-9.
• ARPANSA
• American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Test Method 183
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard D 6544
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard D 6603

Stanford, Duncan G., Georgouras, Katherine E. & Pailthorpe, Michael T. (1997) Rating clothing for sun protection: current status in Australia. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology 8 (1), 12-17.