Ultraviolet Radiation

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation remains the leading cause of skin cancer and premature aging. There are a number of skin care experts who firmly believe that clothing color and material play a huge role in determining its ability to block the transmission of ultraviolet radiation. Throughout the duration of this project, a series of two experiments were conducted in order to test both variables by changing the material color and fabric type of cloth. During the experimentation process, the fabric was exposed to the sun for a select period of time. Then, a UV Meter obtained an accurate reading of the amount of ultraviolet radiation that was able to be transmitted through the cloth. Upon the completion of this experiment, the results were analyzed and compared to a UV Index Scale, which categorizes ultraviolet radiation readings based upon the potential risks it can cause to one’s health. After reviewing the results, the fabric type and color that best prevents the transmission of ultraviolet radiation was determined. Due to the fact that darker colors tend to absorb the most amount of ultraviolet radiation, the color black was initially hypothesized to yield the best results