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UV protection in the car?

Car with passengers in the front and rear, sun protection for the rear side window Sun protection in the car

Anyone who spends time outdoors knows that they need to protect themselves from the sun. But what about in the car? Do car windows protect against UV radiation?

You are well protected from UV-B radiation in your car. It is blocked by all windows. The windshield also protects against UV-A radiation. But it’s different with the side windows: UV-A radiation can pass through them to a greater or lesser extent. This means that even with the windows closed, UV protection in the car is recommended in some situations.

When is UV protection important in the car?

On spring or sunny summer days, protection against excessive UVA radiation is recommended during long car journeys with the windows closed, when the sun shines directly on a person through the window for a long time. This is especially true for children, as their skin is extremely sensitive to UV radiation.

Protective measures

Measures against heat in the car, such as towels hung in the windows, window blinds, or sun visors, also offer protection against UV-A radiation when the windows are closed. However, such items are unsuitable for the driver’s 180-degree field of vision. Transparent UV protection films are ideal for this purpose, as they can effectively reduce UV radiation entering the interior of the car. Tinted UV protection films can also be used in the rear of the car.

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UV radiation varies and UV protection clothing

Risk of UV radiation varies

Sunscreen, long clothing and shady places are important protection, especially in summer. According to the BFS-Germany, UV radiation can neither be seen nor felt. It is there even when the sun is not shining.

According to the data, the intensity and risk of UV radiation depends on many factors – such as the position of the sun, latitude, altitude above sea level, cloud cover and the ozone layer.

UV clothing: Not only useful for children

If you don’t protect yourself adequately from UV radiation, you risk sunburn, sunstroke or – in the worst case – skin cancer. Sun cream with a high sun protection factor is therefore essential.

How clothing with UV protection works

Special UV clothing and UV swimwear is made of tightly woven synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon and spandex. “They are lightweight and breathable and block and absorb UV radiation,” explains Daniela Weiskopf, Head of the Optical Radiation Department at the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS-Germany). In simplified terms:

Which UV clothing provides the best protection?

The BfS-Germany differentiates between the Australian-New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 4399:1996), the European Standard (EN 13758-1) and the UV Standard 801 for the UV protection properties of UV clothing.

 Only the “UV Standard 801” seal proves that a garment still protects against sunlight even when wet, stretched and washed several times.

For whom UV clothing is particularly worthwhile

Textiles with the UV standard 801 are also recommended by the “International Testing Association for Applied UV Protection”. According to the Bremen consumer advice center, parasols, beach shells and awnings with a UV Standard 801 seal also offer the best protection.

UV protective clothing is particularly intended for people who spend many hours in the sun, for example

– because they work outdoors, for example on a building site,

– or do sport.

“But it is also suitable for people with very sensitive skin: children, but also teenagers and adults with very light skin tones.

UV protective clothing does not cover all parts of the body, which is why the BfS-Germany recommends applying plenty (LSF 30) of sun cream to uncovered parts of the body in good time.

“Four heaped tablespoons for the entire body of an average adult with a high to very high sun protection factor from SPF 30 are ideal,” says Daniela Weiskopf.

Sunglasses that filter UV radiation with wavelengths up to and including 400 nanometers should also be worn.

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Health consequences of UV radiation

Sunny spring days entice us outdoors, but even in mild temperatures, UV radiation should not be underestimated.

Why sun cream and co are important now.

 People usually only think about sun protection when it gets really hot. But UV radiation is invisible and does not depend on the air temperature.

Even on cool days, there is a risk of damage to health.

The sun emits high-energy ultraviolet rays of various wavelengths: The UV-C component is completely absorbed by the ozone layer. In contrast, up to ten percent of UV-B radiation reaches the earth’s surface, while the UV-A component passes through the atmosphere almost unhindered.

Direct consequences

– Reddening of the skin up to sunburn, swelling, blistering, itching, pain

– Sun allergy with wheals and blisters

– Inflammation of the cornea or conjunctiva of the eye (e.g. snow blindness)

– Suppression of the immune system

– Formation of vitamin D (the only known positive biological effect of UV radiation)

Late effects

– Eye damage such as cataracts or uveal melanoma (eye tumor)

– Accelerated skin ageing

– skin cancer

The intensity of UV radiation depends on the time of year, time of day and latitude.

It is more intense in the summer months than in winter, and is most dangerous during the day at midday.

In addition, the radiation intensity increases the closer you get to the equator.

Without sun protection, the UV rays penetrate the skin and eyes and can cause damage.

The main cause of reddening of the skin is UV-B radiation, which mainly penetrates the epidermis, whereas UV-A radiation reaches the deeper layers of the skin.