ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

What is UV radiation?

Of the many types of radiation emitted by the sun, mainly visible (light) and infrared (heat) reach the earth's surface. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is also present but we cannot see it or feel it. Ozone in the atmosphere absorbs much of the dangerous UV radiation before it reaches the ground but we can still receive enough to cause sunburn and more serious health problems.

Why is UV radiation dangerous?

Exposure to UV radiation can cause not only sunburn but also lasting skin damage. This may result in premature skin ageing and skin cancer. UV radiation can also cause eye disorders such as cataracts.

Australians have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Our country has high UV radiation levels and relatively clear skies. Poor use of sun protection measures during outdoor work and leisure, means our mainly fair-skinned population has a high exposure to UV radiation. The risk of a person eventually developing skin cancer is related to the amount of UV radiation they are exposed to over their lifetime, particularly in childhood.

How can you protect yourself from UV radiation?

• Avoid going outdoors in the middle of the day (10am to 2pm) when the sun is highest (11am to 3pm during daylight saving). This practice can dramatically reduce your UV radiation exposure.
• When outdoors, choose shaded areas where you cannot directly see the sun or the open sky.
• Wear well designed clothing that covers the arms and legs as well as the body.
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat which shades the face, ears and back of the neck.
• Wear sunglasses when outdoors.
• Apply at least SPF 15 sunscreen to all areas of the body that are not covered by clothing. Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or activities causing heavy perspiration as sunscreens do wear off.
• Young children do not understand the dangers of UV radiation. Protect them with shade, suitable clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Well designed sun protective clothing is available in children's sizes.

What does a UPF rating mean?

In Australia on clear summer days people with unprotected fair skin can receive enough UV radiation to exceed recommended exposure limits and cause a sunburn in about 15 minutes. If their skin is covered with a garment, the UV radiation exposure they accumulate will be significantly reduced.

For example, wearing a well designed garment with a UPF rating of 20 will reduce solar UV radiation exposure to the skin beneath the garment by a factor of 20.

Another way of looking at UPF ratings is that a fabric with a UPF rating of 15 will only allow one fifteenth of the UV radiation to pass through it; A UPF 20 fabric will only allow one twentieth of the UV radiation to pass through it, and so on.

 

What affects the UPF of a fabric?

• Different fabrics have different UV radiation-absorbing properties.
• Less UV radiation passes through tightly woven or knitted fabrics.
• Darker colours usually block more UV radiation.
• Heavier weight fabrics usually block more UV radiation than light fabrics of the same type.
• Garments that are overstretched, wet or worn out may have reduced UV radiation protection.

How can you choose a good sun protective garment?

The UPF rating on many garments indicates clearly how good the fabric is at blocking UV radiation but the design of the garment also needs to be considered. Shirts with long sleeves and high collars, hats that shade the face and protect the back of the neck and ears are most effective. Loose fitting clothing is usually more protective than tight fitting clothing.

Where can you purchase sun protective garments?

Many state anti-cancer authorities, department stores, children's stores and sports stores stock UPF rated garments.

The Australian/New Zealand Standard for Sun Protective Clothing

Published in July 1996, AS/NZS 4399 describes standard laboratory procedures for measuring the UPF of fabrics and for labelling UPF rated clothing. Fabrics are assigned a UPF rating number and also a protection category depending on how much UV radiation they block out. This table shows the rating system.

UPF Ratings and Protection Categories

UPF Rating	Protection Category	% UV radiation Blocked
15 - 24	Good	93.3 - 95.9
25 - 39	Very Good	96.0 - 97.4
40 and over	Excellent	97.5 or more

 

The Standard states that the highest UPF rating garments may be labelled with is 50. Garments made from fabrics with ratings higher than 50 are labelled as UPF 50+.

The UPF Certification Scheme

This was developed by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency to guide purchasers of sun protective clothing. Garments made from fabrics tested by recognised laboratories are labelled with a tag showing the garment's UPF rating which assures consumers of the protective ability of the fabric.

Where to get further information about UV radiation protection

Most State anti-cancer authorities and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency produce a range of publications on radiation related matters. The Resource Guide for UV radiation Protective Products lists sources of UPF rated fabrics, clothing and other UV radiation protective products and is available from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.

Protect yourself from UV!

• Avoid outdoor activities in the middle of the day when the sun is highest.
• Choose outdoor areas shaded from direct sun and open sky.
• Wear well designed clothing that covers the body, arms and legs.
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat which shades the face, ears and back of the neck.
• Wear well designed sunglasses.
• Use at least SPF 15 sunscreen.
• Cover up young children.

 

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