From Tim Uhler, Tools of the Trade:
If you work outdoors regularly, sun exposure is no joke. According to the CDC, nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer each year and 90% of the time, the culprit is the sun’s UV rays. Here in Washington state, we have some of the highest skin-cancer rates in the country, because we underestimate UV on cloudy days. I have always been a shorts and polo shirt guy in the summertime. Too, I have always been religious about wearing a large-brimmed hat (according to OSHA, a baseball hat is not enough) as well as sunscreen (but I hate wearing sunscreen).
An Outer Layer Designed for Protection From the Sun
While OSHA recommends wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, it’s not your only defense against UV rays. In fact, most people don’t wear sunscreen under their shirts– and if you’re wearing a T-shirt, UV rays are still reaching your skin. More and more work-wear options are becoming available that offer UV protection right within the fabric. Rated as UPF (Ultraviolet Protective Factor), this fabric offers more comprehensive protection than sunscreen can. Like sunscreen, which is rated at SPF, the higher the UPF rating, the better protection you’re getting. Because these garments are meant to be worn in the sun, they are lightweight and often breathable – so they have the added benefit of keeping you cooler than cotton would. UPF was first developed in 1996 in Australia, where skin cancer rates are the highest in the world.
