In recent years the need to standardize measurement protocols for quantifying the degree of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) protection provided by clothing has led to the introduction of a number of standards around the world. To date, these standards have specified spectral measurements of UVR transmission by clothing and fabrics. Development of a standard test method has become an important part of the testing process, and this article presents results from an intercomparison involving 10 independent testing laboratories and 11 different UVR transmission measurement instruments. In addition to comparing the measured ultraviolet protection factors (UPF), this intercomparison also incorporates detailed scan results from all 10 laboratories and highlights differences in performance of the various instruments in different wavelength regions. Careful examination of these differences can indicate where changes to the systems could be made to allow improvements both in equipment performance and in agreement of the final results. The variability in the measurements of UPF in this study suggest that the protection categories in standards may need to be broadened.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 January 2003
Ultraviolet Protection Factors for Clothing: An Intercomparison of Measurement Systems
Peter Gies,
Colin Roy,
Alan McLennan,
Michael Pailthorpe,
Rolf Hilfiker,
Uli Osterwalder,
Berto Monard,
Harry Moseley,
David Sliney,
Stephen Wengraitis,
Joe Wong,
Sep Human,
Zafira Bilimis,
Geoff Holmes
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
It is not available for individual sale.
This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
It is not available for individual sale.
Photochemistry and Photobiology
Vol. 77 • No. 1
January 2003
Vol. 77 • No. 1
January 2003
