UV Radiation Protective Clothing

The incidence of skin cancer has been rising worldwide due to excessive exposure to sunlight. Elevated exposure to ultraviolet radiation component of sunlight results in skin damages; such as sunburn, premature skin ageing, allergies and skin cancer. Medical experts suggest several means of protection of human skin against ultraviolet radiation; use of sunscreens, avoidance of the sun at its highest intensities, wearing clothing that covers as much of the skin surface. However, this paper gives an insight about how textile clothing can be efficiently utilized for protecting human skin from the harmful ultraviolet radiations. The various influential clothing parameters, offering resistance to penetration of ultraviolet radiation through the fabrics are briefly summarized. The determinant factors of ultraviolet radiation are elaborated. The effect of ultraviolet radiations on textile materials is discussed.