Nano Ultraviolet Finishing of Textiles Using Inorganic UV- Blockers–The Sustainable Approach of Producing Protective Clothing for Better Tomorrow

The diminution of the ozone stratum,due to global warming, is likely to intensify existing health effects caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiations, as stratospheric ozone is a predominantly effective UV radiation absorber. As the ozone layer becomes thinner, the protective filter provided by the atmosphere is gradually abridged. Subsequently, human beings and the environment are exposed to higher UV radiation levels, particularly higher UV-B levels, which have the greatest impact not only on human health but also on other animals, marine organisms and plant life as well. To protect the human body from UV radiations, the next layer after skin is cloth which needs to be made protective. The harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation can be noticeably assuaged by wearing heavy weight garments or by using sun-creams. However, the usage of heavy weight fabrics is undesirable, due to the resultant increase in skin temperature, which is both uncomfortable and a health menace. Also, using sun-creams is troublesome and subject to failure under many circumstances. Therefore, there is a growing mandate in the marketplace for textile apparels that offers comfort and protection from the harmful ultraviolet radiations. The ultraviolet rays of the sun when they come into contact with the skin lead to all kinds of skin complications, which may damage the skin’s DNA and cell function. The disproportionate exposure to sunrays and ultimately the ultraviolet radiations can lead to not only skin cancer but also cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (a keratinocyte cancer), wrinkles, melasma and unsightly dark spots on the face and open body parts, lichenification as well asneurodermatitis and also various disorders of the immune system. Various researches have revealed that sun (UV) protective clothing is one of the most effective way to safeguard against skin cancer. Such fabrics are unambiguously anticipated for sun protection by covering a maximum amount of skin and being made from a fabric rated for its level of ultraviolet or UV protection. A person wearing a smart UV protected shirt, having an ultraviolet protection factor of more than 30, could lead a healthier life than a person wearing a normal shirt. In the present paper, various aspects of nanotechnology based UV protective clothing,designed using inorganic UV blockers, have been discussed.