A comprehensive approach to evaluating and classifying sun-protective clothing

Area of Science:

• Textile science
• Dermatology
• Public health

Background:

• National standards exist for sun-protective clothing, focusing on body surface area (BSA) coverage and Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of the fabric.
• Current standards ensure minimal protection but may not fully reflect a garment's overall effectiveness against solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel index, the Garment Protector Factor (GPF), that integrates both fabric UPF and garment BSA coverage for a comprehensive rating of sun-protective clothing.
• To establish a more informative rating system beyond existing industry standards.

Main Methods:

• A mannequin was used on an optical bench, marked with intervals to quantify garment BSA coverage.
• An algorithm was developed to calculate the GPF based on visible markings on the mannequin and the fabric's UPF.
• Data collection occurred in 2015/16, with analysis in 2016.

Main Results:

• The GPF algorithm weights fabric UPF by BSA coverage, exceeding minimum international standards for various garment types.
• The GPF rating increases with both higher fabric UPF and greater BSA coverage.
• Three categories were proposed: 'meet' (0 ≤ GPF < 3), 'good' (3 ≤ GPF < 6), and 'excellent' (GPF ≥ 6) sun protection.

Conclusions:

• The proposed GPF rating scheme incentivizes manufacturers to create sun-protective clothing with superior BSA coverage.
• Wider adoption of this rating system can enhance consumer education and awareness regarding effective sun protection.
• This approach has positive implications for skin cancer prevention efforts.