| How does one test the latest UV blocking | | | | an entirely different curriculum of testing |
| fabrics emerging on the market? | | | | methods than the "SPF" measurements used for |
| | | | creams. For reasons of economy, the new |
| Curiously, a number of light and laser | | | | rating system will use an invitro (lab) |
| testing facilities do not currently use the | | | | technique only, and includes wash, stretch |
| latest pending standard involving the | | | | and abrasion testing controls - as textiles |
| averaging of invitro (lab) and invivo (human) | | | | are generally static in nature and do not |
| field-testing and instead, choose to | | | | change over time. |
| measure using the single standard | | | | |
| Menzies/Az 1994 protocol, which is much more | | | | However while consistent in protocol, |
| economical but far less accurate for the | | | | standard control testing methods may not |
| lightweight but complex yarn fabrications | | | | yield similar results from lab to lab. |
| such as those employed in some highly | | | |  While it is currently the most |
| regarded apparel products). Based on the | | | | cost effective method to determine UPF, |
| laboratory credentials, some manufacturers | | | | the test method will not recognize a textile |
| have chosen to use an independent photonics | | | | with an averaged number less than UPF 15: for |
| lab that is well respected internationally in | | | | example, even if the fabric might test |
| their field and is known to be very | | | | average a "19", this number is always rounded |
| comprehensive in their test results. | | | | down by 5 digits, in this case - rendering a |
| The facility created disciplined parameters | | | | "14" . Because of the minimum UPF level of |
| for UV testing based more on the future | | | | 15, mentioned above, this result will render |
| interests of the industry. However, | | | | say a "19" to become a "0". Therefore, this |
| this method is also a much more expensive | | | | example would view the swatch or article as |
| testing process. | | | | under the minimum value for a UPF rating, and |
| | | | not yield a rating at all even though |
| The method employed by textile manufacturers | | | | averaging a 19 in the initial tests. The |
| seeking UV ratings for "woven yarns" is | | | | same could be said for a tested level of |
| perhaps the one that is more incorrectly but | | | | "20", which by the prescribed margin of error |
| commonly used today - and the test protocol | | | | would result in a UPF of 15. The maximum |
| is measured for stretch type fabrics used | | | | rating designate for a textile is UPF50+; |
| mainly for swim and active-wear. As | | | | however, 30 is more than adequate for the |
| leno fabric is a woven, with various degrees | | | | majority of individuals with sun-sensitive |
| of porosity, such tests can still | | | | conditions. |
| produce erratic results, especially with | | | | |
| ventilated weaves and if the dyeing | | | | What are the differences in fabric types |
| process involves optical brighteners and/or | | | | available? |
| titanium dioxides in the pigments. These | | | | |
| variables can wreak havoc on accurate | | | | Today, people interested in sun-care products |
| results. | | | | have different demands. Like the protective |
| | | | blocks and lotions, there are many types of |
| Â | | | | textiles used in apparel that are available |
| | | | to meet various degrees of desired |
| What can create controversy with the new | | | | performance based on lifestyle. Tighter |
| fabrics? | | | | (opaque) weaves and darker colours are |
| | | | usually designed to be worn close to the |
| As with any consumer goods purchase involving | | | | skin, and can assist in blocking a higher |
| new and evolving technologies, one must be | | | | proportion of ultraviolet light for longer |
| careful in relying on poorly researched | | | | periods. Whether stretch or woven, these |
| magazine or newspaper articles, which can be | | | | fabrics are used in clothing that is opaque |
| quite misleading. Be sure to read the | | | | and is worn alone as a fashion lifestyle or |
| product detail descriptions on clothing tags | | | | as swimwear. A drawback to the tighter |
| or, if purchasing on-line, the description of | | | | weaves and stretch fabrics is reduced |
| a product on the web site. If a product does | | | | ventilation and increased heat retention - |
| not say, for example, that it offers up to a | | | | which can be a serious liability to certain |
| 97% block, one should not assume that it | | | | individuals in hot climates. |
| does, even if other items within that product | | | | |
| line so say so on the tag or in the on-line | | | | Â |
| product description. | | | | |
| | | | Other fabrics employ a complex lightweight |
| Do colors affect the UV protection level? | | | | weave and design structure that is somewhat |
| | | | looser to encourage cooling airflow, and will |
| Yes, color is also an important point when | | | | provide additional coverage. These garments |
| considering clothing for the purpose of | | | | are designed to be worn over other favourite |
| sun-block: Darker colors (especially indigo, | | | | summer-weight weather apparel. This type of |
| navy and black) perform better because they | | | | clothing is a sun-care "booster" but might |
| can absorb more UV; however the trade-off is | | | | not be an appropriate recommendation for |
| that they can create heat as a by-product. | | | | persons requiring a high degree of opaque |
| Lighter colors will reflect more, especially | | | | protection or have prescriptive conditions |
| fabrics with optical brighteners. All | | | | that renders one particularly light sensitive |
| everyday existing fabrics can be considered | | | | - a drawback to the looser weaves and |
| to have a sun-protective value, but unlike | | | | (lighter colours) will be the allowance of |
| the creams that can have lower values, the | | | | more UV transmission than the opaque fabrics |
| current UPF rating system begins at the | | | | for areas of bare skin under a single layer |
| minimum UPF level of 15 to permit an | | | | of fabric, especially if the area is pulled |
| independent classification. | | | | tightly over the skin and exposed to |
| | | | prolonged time in the sun. This drawback is |
| When the ASTM D13.65 committee was created | | | | remedied in the careful construct and loose |
| for the addendum to sun-protective fabrics in | | | | design of such apparel, as the UV light |
| 1996, a number of textile manufacturers and | | | | transmittance decreases exponentially and |
| light and laser specialists invested about 5 | | | | dramatically, every millimetre away from the |
| years in planning the testing protocol. Even | | | | skin. |
| today, it is still a work in progress and | | | | |
| will be updated annually because the results | | | | Some manufacturers' hats and accessories, |
| are still inconclusive and merit more study. | | | | through their fabrication, have a much higher |
| Naturally, some of the unique textiles being | | | | level of protection, and certain styles with |
| created today are, under current lab | | | | multiple layering and fusing agents will |
| conditions, misunderstood. | | | | afford a UPF rating up to 40+. While the |
| | | | clothing is a protective & effective adjunct |
| What exactly is done in-lab to obtain a UPF | | | | as long as it is worn as designed, with |
| rating? Is it different from "SPF"? | | | | the appropriate size chosen by the |
| | | | individual for the particular activity and |
| Yes, UPF involves a different criterion. | | | | worn loosely over other summer-weight |
| While still a work in progress, the UPF | | | | apparel. |
| [ultraviolet protection factor] is based on | | | | |