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Babies are at greatest risk since their skin cannot properly protect itself from sun damage. Melanin, the natural pigment that provides a small amount of sun protection is not fully developed in babies.
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Auto Glass Makes You Vulnerable to Sun Damage
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Most people believe they are safe from the sun's ultraviolet rays(UV) whenever they are shielded by glass.
In cars, however, UV protection is generally far from complete. The windows and the windshield somewhat reduce exposure to solar UVB (short-wave radiation between 290 and 320 nanometers). But only the windshield comes partially treated against UVA (long-wave radiation between 320 and 400 nanometers). The other windows block little or none.
Even factory installed solar tinted glass will only absorb less than 10% of the ultraviolet A. This is important because UVA represents 90% of all UV radiation reaching the earth!
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The Results
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"The result," says renowned dermatologist, Albert M. Kligman, M.D.,Ph.D and University of Pennsylvania professor emeritus, "is measurable skin damage.
When older people who have driven a lot are examined clinically," he explains, "the skin that has been next to the driver's window is rougher, has developed more pigment and has sustained greater overall actinic (sun-induced) damage."
Comparative studies have shown that photo-damage is greater on the left side of the body in American drivers, and on the right side of the body in Australian drivers, whose autos are equipped with right hand drive. The amount of long-wave sunlight that passes through glass, including car windows, can be dangerous to your health. Glass filters out UVB but allows passage of UVA that has been shown to promote photoaging and cancer of the skin. Accordingly, it makes sense for people whose occcupation and life style require long hours of driving to install solar control window film.
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Passengers are also vulnerable to UVA. children are expecially at risk because they already spend more time than adults in the sun and because they frequently sit in the back where none of the glass offers UVA protection.
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The cumulative effects may be far reaching. Penetrating deeper in the skin than UVB, UVA accelerates skin aging, and scientists have long believed that both UVA and UVB contribute to the development of skin cancers.
(Source:CP Films,Inc.)
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