Shirt designs for sun protection

The objectives of the study reported here were to document consumer attitudes, risk understanding, and behaviors with respect to sun safety and to define consumer preferences for protective shirt design and labeling. A sample of 1,508 adults was surveyed at the 2002 Farm Progress Show sun-safety exhibit. Results showed that people generally understood the longterm risk from exposure to ultraviolet radiation, but did not routinely use sun-protective clothing to avoid it. Design features preferred by consumers for sun-safe shirts were significantly related to demographic characteristics, including age, education, sex, occupation, and employment status. Overall, the sun-safe shirt design most preferred can be summarized as a casual-style, solid-color, knit shirt with a crew neck or collar. Over 80 percent of participants favored Ultraviolet Protective Factor labeling as well as other consumer labeling such as information on care, fiber content, colorfastness, and finishes applied to shirts. Industrial and educational implications are provided.