| Since 1989 when the Solar Protective Factory (SPF) | | | | temperature stability on the outside of the fabric |
| discovered that UV goes through t-shirts at an | | | | while creating a cooler shade under the fabric; |
| alarming rate they have been developing fabrics that | | | | greater protection and greater comfort were thus |
| are sun protective. In fact, SPF was the first and | | | | achieved. |
| only company to have fabrics tested and certified by | | | | The Solar Protective Factory (SPF) has introduced |
| NASA. Additionally SPF, in co-operation with the | | | | the world's first all cotton t-Shirt that meets the |
| American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), | | | | criteria for the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of |
| was instrumental in creating the most stringent fabric | | | | Recommendation. The Skin Cancer Foundation is the |
| and apparel testing standards in the world. These | | | | first organization in the United States to commit itself |
| standards assure the wearer UV protection even | | | | to educating the public and medical professionals |
| after the equivalent of two years wear and tear. | | | | about sun safety and is the only global organization |
| Fun in the sun. But which child has more protection | | | | solely devoted to the prevention, detection and |
| from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays? Some t-shirts | | | | treatment of skin cancer. |
| block less than 70% of UV while others can block | | | | The SPF t-shirt is the only all cotton t-shirt that |
| more than 98% of UV. How can you tell? The Skin | | | | achieves a UPF 50+ rating under the U.S. standards |
| Cancer Foundation has only awarded its seal of | | | | set by the American Society of Testing and Materials. |
| recommendation to one all cotton t-shirt, the SPF | | | | The testing yields a UPF rating only after a garment |
| t-shirt from | | | | is initially laundered forty times and endures 100 hours |
| Since 1990 when SPF introduced Solarweave many | | | | of ultraviolet exposure. The testing is performed by |
| companies have tried to duplicate SPF fabrics with | | | | the International UV Testing Laboratory, Americas' |
| off-the-shelf nylon products claiming to be "medical | | | | most experienced independent UV testing facility |
| devices" and polyester fabrics tested to Australian | | | | has the largest and most complete selection of SPF |
| standards that are far less stringent than U.S. | | | | certified sun protective t-shirts in long and short |
| standards. These fabrics are just "renamed" generic | | | | sleeves for men, women and children under the sun. |
| fabrics. | | | | "We are proud to be the organization that developed |
| SPF developed the Solarprotiferous process for | | | | the technology, called Solarproterous, that fosters |
| maximizing fabrics' UV protective properties. | | | | the creation of a truly comfortable sun protective |
| Innovations in fabric construction including thread | | | | t-shirt. Because of this break-through product people |
| type and loft, warp and fil weaving and knitting | | | | will be able to spend more time enjoying outdoor |
| techniques; along with pharmacologically inert dyes | | | | activities and still be protected from the sun's harmful |
| and chemical treatments, recycled elements such as | | | | rays," said Terry Breese, president of SPF. "Besides |
| charcoal and coconut, titanium and other exotic | | | | offering styles that do not look like some dental |
| compounds are all part of the Solarprotiferous | | | | smock, our products are not over-priced like some |
| process. This process fostered the creation of | | | | so-called 'medical devices' and are tested to legitimate |
| greatly enhanced reflectivity and absorption of | | | | U.S. standards so you know you're getting great sun |
| ultraviolet rays. Additionally, transference of UV into | | | | protection," he added. |
| infrared on fabric surfaces enhanced faster | | | | |