Los Angeles County
Department of Public Health
Injury Violence and Prevention Program
Phone: (213) 351-7888
Fax: (213) 351-2713
Email: ivpp@ph.lacounty.gov
Protective Clothing to Protect from Heat-Related Illness
During hot weather, proper clothing can protect you from damaging ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and heat from the sun. When playing activities during hot weather wear clothing that wicks excess heat from the body and reduces heat received from sun. Clothing should be light in color, lightweight, and breathable material so heat from the body can more effectively evaporate. Recommendations include:
Wearing light-colored clothes. These reflect heat radiated from the sun. Remember that dark colors absorb UV rays, absorb heat, and increases heat exposure[1]
Wearing loose fitting clothes., This allows for more air to pass over your body, providing for sweat evaporation and cooling.
Avoiding heavy, rubberized clothing and 100% cotton. Cotton has two drawbacks: 1) it holds large amount of sweat within its natural fibers and prevents evaporation and heat transfer; and 2) contain lignins, which are pigments that absorb ultraviolet rays.
The most effective heat protective clothing to wear are those made of wicking material such as CoolMax , polypropylene, high-luster polyesters, or satiny silk. During exercise, when the body sweats these fabrics: 1) help to wick the sweat from the body, thus keeping clothes dry and cooling the body; and 2) reflect radiation.
Clothing manufacturers have UV protective clothing. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) provides standards for labeling sun protection of fabrics by ultraviolet protective factor (UPF). The UPF is similar to sun protection factor (SPF) that is used for sunscreens, so the higher the higher the number the greater protection. ASTM provides the following chart for UV protective clothing:
UPF 15-24 = good protection
| UPF 25-39 = very good protection
| UPF 40+ = excellent protection
Wear sunglasses that are labeled:
Impact resistant | Block 99% of UVA (ultraviolet A radiation) and UVB (ultraviolet B radiation)
Wear the right shoes for your activity. For weight training and low impact activities consider a cross-training shoe or a walking shoe. If you're going to be running, you'll want a running shoe so your feet will have plenty of support. If you're participating in a sport such as basketball, football, etc. a sport-specific shoe is necessary to prevent injury.
Socks can also be made of wicking material. Note that when socks are too thick or thin can result in blisters.
[1] Mediating exposure to environmental hazards
through textile systems, Regional research NC-170,
USDA
