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UV-protective childrenswear widely accepted: Report

25 Jun '15

2 min read

The international textile research centre at the Hohenstein Institute in Bönnigheim conducted a research on UV-protective clothes for kids.

Dr. Andreas Schmidt from the institute, in partnership with a well-known manufacturer, kitted out 143 children aged between 2 and 14 with sun protection clothing. After a few weeks, their parents completed a questionnaire in which they assessed important factors such as wearing comfort, and outlined how the children behaved in the clothes and the reactions of other people and the children themselves.

According to the results, over 88 per cent of the children were happy to wear the clothes, over 84 per cent of the children found them comfortable. The UV-protective clothing was mainly worn by kids in their own gardens and in open-air pools.

Schmidt said, “With these special textiles, UV-protection factors (UPF) of 80 or more can be achieved - and permanently. That is a far better performance than cosmetic sun protection products can manage. It means that even a child with sensitive Type 1 skin can safely spend all day outdoors.”

According to the Institute, the protection from UV radiation that textiles provide is indicated as a UV protection factor. This corresponds to the light or sun protection factor (LPF/SPF) on sun creams. For example, a simple white cotton shirt may have a UPF of 10, while dense, darker cotton clothing reaches values of about 20. However, in special UV-protection textiles, special weaves and chemical fibres that absorb UV-rays can enable the UPF factor to reach as much as 80, as measured by the UV Standard 801, and are therefore far more effective than cosmetic sun screens.

Leading European manufacturers have their products tested for compliance with the UV Standard 801 by neutral test institutions in realistic conditions. That is to say, parameters like wetting, stretching, rubbing and washing are taken into account. This allows the UV protective effect of a textile product to be realistically assessed, and this is shown as the UV Protection Factor on the label. The number corresponds to the light or sun protection factor on sun creams. (GK)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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UV-protective childrenswear widely accepted: Report

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