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