(ARA) – Most people believe that if clothing and sunscreens reduce reddening of the skin, they are providing enough protection. Unfortunately, blocking UVB, which causes redness, may give a false sense of security. Dangerous UVA radiation can cause aging and cancer without allowing redness to occur.

If you extend sun exposure because light clothing or sunscreen seems to be protecting you, the result could be more damage than you would have sustained if you had seen the effects of the sun. The SPF scale is based on reddening of human skin and therefore is only measuring UVB, so sunscreens can have a high SPF number but not protect against UVA. This is why people are now cautioned to look for products that protect against both UVA and UVB, but the amount of UVB protection is not stated.

Special sun protective fabrics are tested for both UVA and UVB. Unlike sunscreens, they are rated very conservatively and the rating system includes UVA. “These specially labeled fabrics really do protect you, but they are very expensive and are available only in limited styles” says Dan Gutting of Atsko, Inc., makers of U-V-Block a do-it-yourself product you can apply to light summer fabrics. “With U-V-Block you can treat the kids’ favorite shirts and know that they are protected if they are wearing the shirt.”

The company claims that the protection lasts thru dozens of washings and Mr. Gutting adds that the shirt will actually last longer and fade less because of the U-V-Block Treatment. “We have customers treating flags, umbrellas and sail covers to make them last 2 to 4 times as long in sun exposure.

Treating high coverage clothes with U-V-Block is effective and economical, but there is no alternative to sunscreen for exposed skin. Be sure to select a product that protects against both UVA and UVB and has a high SPF. Follow the directions carefully. It takes a lot of product and frequent applications to maintain the protection advertised on the bottle. Sunscreen labels state: apply 20 minutes before exposure, reapply every 30 minutes, use a full ounce to cover adult body. Few people follow this prescription.

With increased UV radiation reaching the earth because of ozone depletion and more leisure time to enjoy the outdoors, skin cancer is the fastest increasing cancer in the country.

Skin damage from the sun takes 20 years to appear. Children are far more susceptible to sun damage than adults, and we receive more than half of our lifetime sun exposure before age 18.

U-V-Block on your favorite summer fashion is the most effective, most convenient, and most economical alternative for people who want to enjoy the sunshine. It also reduces exposure to the irritating chemicals found in most sunscreens.

One bottle will treat 4 long sleeve shirts for years of cool protection without heavy dark fabrics or chemical exposure. U-V-Block Item #2344 (17 fl. oz. for $13.20)

U-V-Block is a registered trademark of Atsko Incorporated.

This article is from Wounds1.com.

Contact: Kathryn Hatch, Ph.D.
Chair, ASTM D13.65 Subcommittee
(520) 621-7134 or [email protected]

West Conshohocken, PA, January 2001 –The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has released two standard documents (D6544 and D6603) related to textile products sold with a claim of being UV protective.

ASTM D6544 “Standard Practice for Preparation of Textiles Prior to Ultraviolet (UV) Transmission Testing” is unique among the world’s UV Textile documents. It was drafted to ensure that the UV protection claimed on labels reflects the least or lowest degree of protection when the fabric is new. To accomplish this, fabric will be required to undergo 40 launderings, exposure to 100 AATCC fading units of simulated sunlight, and simulated exposure to chlorinated water (for swimsuit fabrics) prior to UV transmission testing. A unique inclusion in ASTM D6544 is reference to ASTM sampling documents to help ensure that label information is specific to a production lot.

ASTM D6603 “Standard Guide for Labeling of UV-Protective Textiles” requires UV-protective clothing to be labeled with a UltraViolet Protection Factor (UPF) value. The lowest possible value is 15 UPF and the highest is 50+ UPF. D6603 adopts the Australian/New Zealand classification categories are then: Good UV protection when the UPF is 15 – 24, very good UV protection when the UPF is 25 – 39, or Excellent UV Protection UV protection when the UPF is 40 – 50+. UPF is a relative ranking of the UV protective capabilities of a textile and is the correct designator for the UV protection provided by a fabric. Products may claim that skin covered by the UV-protective fabric is protected against sun exposure and sunburn. Products may not clain that they prevent skin cancer or photoaging of the skin.

“When combined with AATCC 183, these new standards provide excellent guidance for the sampling, preparation, UV Transmittance testing, and labeling of UV-Protective fabrics,” said Dr. Kathryn Hatch, ASTM D13.65 Subcommittee Chair and Uiversity of Arizona Textile Professor. “Manufacturers of UV-Protective fabrics and clothing should access and adopt these new standards with due haste for their own legal protection and, ultimately, the health and safety of their consumers.”

Over exposure to the sun’s radiation is associated with serious skin and eye damage, including skin cancer. Over 1.3 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S. This figure is expected to increase annually unless precautions are taken to reduce sun exposure. Clothing with UV-protective properties may help reduce exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays.

The Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Products Safety Commission have assisted in the development on the new standards. They intend to ensure that all textile products that claim to be UV-Protective have been prepared, tested, and labeled according to the AATCC and ASTM standards.

Established in 1898, ASTM is one of the world’s largest voluntary standards development organizations. ASTM standards are among the most widely accepted and used documents in the world. The acquire licensed copies of the new standards, or more information, contact Ms. Bode Hennegan at ASTM at 610-832-9740.

Skin cancer is increasing. People who work or play in the sun are never adequately protected because sunscreens need frequent reapplications and regular clothing must be heavy or dark colored (Hot) for full protection from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Many lightweight, light color fabrics that are cool and comfortable offer little protection from UV radiation. A white tee shirt may provide only UPF 5 (Ultra Violet Protection Factor) when dry and far less when wet or stretched. While sunscreens are rated in SPF (Sun Protection Factor) based on very optimistic assumptions about rate and frequency of application, fabric protection is rated in UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) a minimum level of protection expected based on instrument testing. Special clothing has been created to offer comfort and UPF 30+ protection but it is expensive and limited in style, size, and availability.

You can now apply UV protection to white or light colored (cool) clothing instead of skin. Eliminate the repeated chemical exposure and cost of applying sunscreen to the skin. U-V-Block treats any fabric. On many fabrics U-V-Block will achieve UPF 50+, the highest rating allowed by ASTM Fabric Labeling Standard, in just one application.

Treat your own clothes, old or new, to add UV protection. Apply U-V-Block to the clothes you choose to wear in the sun. The spray application dries quickly and can be cured in the dryer or with an iron to endure repeated washings without loss of protection. A 17-ounce bottle of U-V-Block will treat about 4 white dress shirts. Each shirt will protect for several seasons for less than the price of one bottle of sunscreen.

Treating your clothing with U-V-Block is an effective, economical, and comfortable way to reduce the risk. A day of work or play in the sun is less tiring when light, white, treated clothing is used to reduce heat stress and UV exposure. Warning: Do not extend sun exposure time without increasing protection of eyes and uncovered skin.

Wide brim hats, long sleeve shirts, and long pants cover more skin and skin must be covered to be protected. Enjoy the light, white summer clothes of your choice with the added comfort of U-V-Block protection. The garment you treat will actually last longer because of U-V-Block. A typical printed poly cotton blend will last 4 times longer in outdoor exposure.

The use of sunscreen is important and may never be replaced for the face and hands, but it is surprisingly expensive and inconvenient to achieve advertised protection of the entire body. Just read the instructions which must be followed to achieve the SPF rating claimed. “Apply 20 minutes before exposure”. “Apply liberally, 1 ounce will cover a typical adult” “Reapply every 30 minutes if perspiring or swimming”. That’s 8 applications in 4 hours? At $8 per bottle, a family of 4 should apply $64 per day or $400 for a one-week vacation. Most people will get far less protection than advertised. Even when limited to the face and hands this represents significant cost and chemical exposure. Sunscreen labels usually list multiple active ingredients because most ingredients don’t cover both UVA and UVB wavelengths and it would be very irritating to use an effective amount of any one ingredient.

U-V-Block treated outdoor fabrics like tents and flags will keep their color and strength 4 times longer. Isn’t this the kind of protection you want for your skin? Tell others about U-V-Block, permanent UV Protection, the sensible alternative.

U-V-Block, a new product from Atsko/SNO-SEAL, provides a practical alternative that every parent and every outdoor enthusiast should know about. U-V-Block is a permanent treatment that you spray on clothing to create an ultraviolet barrier. Most of your favorite lite summer fabrics offer very little protection. A white cotton knit like a “T” shirt may provide a UPF of only 5 when dry and even less when it is wet or stretched. U-V-Block can provide UPF up to 50+ depending on the fabric.

There is no need for me to give you the headlines and quote statistics of morbidity and mortality. These will be coming from every direction. Visit a web site on Skin Cancer, American Cancer Society, American Sun Protection Association or any related topic and you will know the danger is real and serious.

Many of you have direct knowledge, perhaps too direct, but the majority mindset has been to ignore it. We all know that a tanned body looks healthier and a constituency has grown to profit from this view.

Now as the human and healthcare costs accelerate, behavior will be changed and we can assist, resist, or just exist. To make a positive contribution you must understand the alternatives.

Staying out of the sun totally is completely unrealistic and would signal the end of the enjoyment of the outdoors as we know it because exposure can be dangerous even on a cloudy day.

The use of sunscreen is important and may never be replaced for the face and hands, but it is surprisingly more expensive and less effective when you try to protect the rest of the body. Just read the instructions.

“Apply 20 minutes before exposure.” How does this happen when a runner, cyclist, roofer, or any outdoor competitor rips off his shirt without breaking stride as it becomes too hot for optimum performance.

“Reapply every 30 minutes if perspiring or swimming.” I count 8 applications in 4 hours.

“Apply liberally, 1 ounce will cover a typical adult.” At $8 per bottle, a family of 4 should apply $64 per day or $400 for a one-week vacation. Most people will get far less protection than advertised. Even when limited to the face and hands this represents significant cost and chemical exposure.

Protective clothing is the only effective alternative, but LIGHTWEIGHT WHITE CLOTHING OFFERS ALMOST NO PROTECTION. Wearing heavy opaque clothing can be so uncomfortable as to be abandoned each day by the time the sun reaches a dangerous angle.

Specially designed clothes that are tested and labeled for UV protection are enormously expensive ($70-80 per shirt) but they can be comfortable while being protective. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has just finished a guide to the preparation and labeling of UV protective fabrics. It is available at www.astm.org. In a few years UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rated clothes will begin to show up at the discounters, but for the present they are unlikely to be found on the fast growing little tykes who have the greatest need for protection and spend the most time in the sun.

Other countries are ahead of the USA in this area. In Australia, for example, children on playgrounds are protected by hats and long sleeved shirts in the middle of summer. Their OSHA requires that employers provide sun protective clothing for outdoor workers. Cancer prevention need not be mutually exclusive and a love of the out-of-doors.

Ultraviolet protection will receive so much coverage that we may tire of the subject. When you really you are ready for effice practical and economical protection for your self and your loved ones, choose U-V-Block for permanent UVA and UVB Protection

The unique perspective and practical solutions you can provide will save lives.

Ordinary Clothing doesn’t protect you from UV Damage.
Thin light comfortable summer fashions offer very little protection from cancer causing sun exposure. Many people will burn while wearing a “T” shirt because if offers only UPF 3 – 5. Clothing must be heavy or dark or layered (hot and uncomfortable) ao pretreated (expensive and limitied styles available) to offer good protection. Ordinary clothing, just as sunscreens, may block the UVB (Tanning rays) more effectively than the UVA Rays that cause skin damage. The heat reduction and lack of redness can make you think you are well protected, but you’re not!

U-V-Block makes light summer fabrics block UVA and UVB.
The summer clothes you already own and want to wear can be treated to provide UV protection up to UPF 50+. U-V-Block does not come off when you swim or perspire. One bottle treats four shirts. The treatment is washing machine safe to last all season. Kids often have a favorite shirt they will wear without coaxing, treat it with U-V-Block. It will even make the shirt last longer.

U-V-Block is reliable and affordable.
Following label directions a family of 4 could spend $400.00 on sunscreen for a week in the sun. For advertised protection sunscreens should be applied to the skin every 1/2 hour. Sunscreen labels recommend using a full ounce per adult application. That’s a lot of exposure to irritating chemicals. It is difficult to be sure that kids are protected unless they wear a shirt and hat that can be seen. You should still call them in to reapply sunscreen on exposed skin.