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Australian Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Allied Industries

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Sun safe fabrics

In the Area of study: Australian Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Allied Industries you will investigate and debate a range of issues impacting on the textile industry. One of the current issues affecting the industry is sun protection factor (SPF) clothing.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), as part of the Health and Aged Care Portfolio, is a new Federal Government agency charged with the responsibility for protecting the health and safety of people, and the environment, from the harmful effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. One area of expertise is sun safe fabrics and garments. The website has good information on sun protection. Use the information on the site to answer the questions below.

Worth a look
An excellent Sunsmart supplement can be found in The Journal of the Home Economics Institute of Australia, Volume 5, Number 2, 1998.

Activity

1. What is UV radiation ?
    
2. Why is UV radiation dangerous?
    
3. What properties does a fabric need to obtain a UPF rating?
    
4. What affects the UPF of a fabric?
    
5. 1. Describe the features of a good sun protection garment.
       
   2. Explain when a product can be labelled with the (UPF) rating .
   
    
6. Sketch and label with relevant design features a school uniform for primary boys that offers good sun protection. Justify your choice of fabric and selected design features.

Answers

1. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is just one type of radiation emitted by the sun that reaches the earth's surface. It cannot be seen or felt. The ozone layer provides a buffer between the sun and earth. However even without the damage to the ozone layer UV rays can cause sunburn leading to more serious health problems.
    
2. UVR is dangerous because it not only causes sunburn but contributes to skin damage resulting in premature ageing and skin cancer. The eyes can also be affected (cataracts).
    
   Australians have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world due to high UVR levels and clear skies. Protection during outdoor activity is critical especially for children.
    
3. In summer Australians can receive enough UVR in 15 minutes to exceed recommended exposure limits. Wearing clothing can reduce this significantly. Fabrics are tested to determine their ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). A fabric with a UPF of 20 will allow one twentieth of the UVR to pass through. A UPF rating of 30 will allow one thirtieth and so on.
    
4. The UPF of a fabric is affected by:
   
   
   • fabrics made from different fibre compositions block more or less UVR
   • tightly woven or knitted fabrics allow less UVR to pass through
   • darker colours block more UVR
   • heavier fabrics block more UVR than light fabrics of the same type
   • wet, overstretched or worn out clothes offer less UVR protection.
   
    
5. 1. Features of good sun protection garments are:
      • fabric has high UPF rating
      • design
        shirts with long sleeves and collars
        hats with a brim or legionnaires hats
        loose fitting clothing offers more protection
        shorts and skirts to the knee offer more protection for the legs.
      
       
   2. a fabric can be labelled with the UPF Certification Trade Mark swing tag when it is approved by the Australian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). ARPANSA is the proprietor of the UPF Certification Trade Mark. When the UPF Certification Trade Mark is applied to a product it indicates that ARPANSA has been satisfied that the materials used to construct that product will provide at least the amount of sun protection stated on the rating label. A licensing fee is paid to ARPANSA by the manufacturer.
   
    
6. Your design should feature the points in 5 a) and as illustrated in the photo.
    
   Photo Courtesy of: Nicola McManus