UV-A and UV-B
UV radiation is actually made up of two different types of radiation, UV-A which is made up of longer wavelengths, and UV-B, which is made of slightly shorter wavelengths. UV-A rays account for roughly 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. While less intense than UV-B rays, they are as much as 50 times more prevalent. UV-A rays can be both beneficial to our health as well as harmful. Humans need UV-A rays to help produce vitamin D, which is vital for calcium absorption in bones and helps stave off several chronic diseases.
Because UV-A rays penetrate our skin more deeply, prolonged exposure can cause cataracts, premature aging and can seriously damage skin cells. Scientists have recently linked UV-A rays to skin cancer, which was once only believed to be caused by UV-B rays. While clear untreated glass blocks most UV-B rays, as much as 75% of UV-A rays pass right through the most glass. Because many of us believe we are safe from UV rays indoors, we typically don’t take the same precautions to protect ourselves as we do when we are outside. As a result, we are often more at risk for UV exposure in our cars, homes, and offices than outdoors.
UV-B rays, while not as prevalent as UV-A rays, are far more destructive. In addition to causing sunburns and premature aging, UV-B rays can damage our DNA by distorting its ladder-like structure. This damage can result in a range of health problems, including skin cancer and diseases that affect the immune system. Because UV-B rays don’t penetrate glass-like UV-A rays can, for years, glass manufacturers could boast that their products protected people from UV rays. Only recently have laws been passed that require manufacturers to clearly indicate how much UV-A and UV-B protection their products actually offer.
Advances in Window Tint Films
Over the last 20 years, several advancements have been made in window tint films. Originally developed to reduce sun glare by blocking only visible light, today’s window tint films can block up to 99% of harmful UV-A rays and much of the infrared (IR) radiation that transfers heat through the glass. These state-of-the-art window tint films are even able to block these UV and IR rays while still allowing most of the visible light to pass through. This means superior protection from the sun without sacrificing visibility.
Window Tint Applications
When thinking about window tint, many of us automatically associate it with automotive applications. In fact, window tint has become an increasingly popular feature on cars, so much so that most automobile manufacturers have now made it a standard feature on new vehicles. Many may not be aware of the growing popularity of window tint on residential and commercial buildings. Given the rising cost of energy, growing concerns about global warming, and the increasing awareness of the dangers of prolonged exposure to UV rays, more and more people are investing in high-tech window tints to save money on their heating and cooling bills while protecting themselves from UV rays. The benefits of window tint film are so dramatic that the federal government even offers a tax credit for those who install it in their homes or businesses.
