title: Photoprotection: clothing and glass.
abstract: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UVR) has well-known adverse effects on the skin and eyes. Little attention is given to physical means of photoprotection, namely glass, window films, sunglasses, and clothing. In general, all types of glass block UV-B. For UV-A, the degree of transmission depends on the type, thickness, and color of the glass. Adding window films to glass can greatly decrease the transmission of UV-A. Factors that can affect the transmission of UVR through cloth include tightness of weave, thickness, weight, type of fabrics, laundering, hydration, stretch, fabric processing, UV absorbers, color, and fabric-to-skin distance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box 24923, Al-Jabriya, Safat 13110, Kuwait. Electronic address: fahad.almutawa@hsc.edu.kw.
authors.forename: Fahad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Almutawa
authors.affiliation: Medical Photophysics Laboratory, Asaad al Hamad Dermatology Center, PO Box 17296, Khaldeyah 72453, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Hanan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Buabbas
mesh_terms: D003020:Clothing; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: Clothing; Glass; Photoprotection; Sunglasses; Ultraviolet; Window films