Rating clothing for sun protection: current status in Australia

Clothing has been promoted as a major sun protection measure for some time, yet its performance in this role has only recently been studied, The principal test methods for measuring the photoprotectiveness of clothing are: in vitro testing, in which ultraviolet transmission through a garment is measured; and in vivo testing, where protection by the garment from human skin erythema is assessed. Our research team has been studying the fabric properties and design factors involved in photoprotection by clothing so that more effective products can be developed. Fabric properties identified include: the construction and fibre type used. the stretch and hydration states, and ultraviolet-absorbing dyes and chemicals incorporated. An exciting innovation has been the use of an ultraviolet absorber which dramatically improves a garment's rating. In Australia, we are about to have the world's first standard for rating sun-protective clothing.