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Car Windows May Not Protect From Sun (1070L)

of UV rays. That's partly to keep the car cool as well as protect occupants from sun

Notes on my thoughts,

exposure. But side and rear windows are a different story, and their SPF can vary a lot

reactions and questions as I

depending on the vehicle.

read:

Side windows are usually made from cheaper tempered glass, which is around 4

millimeters thick and doesn't include a layer of plastic. Tempered glass is designed to

shatter into tiny pieces, to protect the occupants in a crash. But unless they're tinted for

privacy, side windows usually absorb only 65 percent of UV rays. That gives them an

SPF of around 16, Dishart says, the same as some of the lowest grades of sunscreen.

That may be all right for people who don't do a lot of driving. But several studies

indicate a link between skin cancer and sun exposure while driving, especially for truck

drivers or those with long commutes.

In 2007, researchers at the St. Louis University School of Medicine found that in a

group of 898 skin cancer patients, 53 percent of the cancers occurred on the left side.

Those who spent more hours per week driving had a higher chance of getting a left-side

skin cancer. Also, a statistically significant number of the cancers were on areas that are

exposed while driving, including the head, neck, arms and hands.

Some automakers are opting for more expensive, higher-SPF glass, not only to protect

the car's occupants but also to cool down their cars. Heat from the sun can force the

car's air conditioning to work harder, which lowers the vehicle's fuel economy. South

Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia use window glass with an SPF between 44 and 48

in their U.S.-made vehicles. Toyota switched to laminated glass for the front windows

of the recently redesigned Avalon sedan, both to improve UV protection and to offer

added insulation from wind noise.

Concerned about the level of sun exposure in your car? Here's what you can do:

— Seek out vehicles with more protection. Glass makers have a trade group — the

Enhanced Protective Glass Automotive Association — that lobbies for stricter rules that

would require laminated glass in all car windows. The group keeps tabs on which cars

have laminated windows and publishes the results. The Ford Mustang, for example, has

a laminated glass sunroof, while several Buick and Mercedes sedans have laminated

glass in the front windows.

— Explore window tinting and aftermarket films. Companies like Solar Gard offer

window films that can block UV rays. Glass-tinting companies and auto dealers can

install them on a four-door car for around $200. There are also do-it-yourself kits at auto

parts shops. But beware: states govern how much windows can be tinted, and those laws

vary.

— Protect yourself. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying a sunscreen

with an SPF of 15 or higher around 30 minutes before you drive. Make sure to cover

your face, neck, arms and hands. If you have a sunroof and thinning hair, you should

also wear a hat, since skin cancer can develop on the top of your head.

Durbin, D. Car windows may not protect from sun. Associated Press. Sept. 3, 2014.

Car Windows May Not Protect From Sun (1070l) - Middle School Reading Article Worksheet Page 2

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