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Danger of Indoor UV Radiation: How to Protect Yourself — The Dangers of Indoor UV Radiation: How to Protect Yourself

You might think that if you stay indoors, wear sunscreen, and don a big hat that you’ll be safe from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. But did you realize that even indoors you can receive a lot of the wrong kind of ultraviolet light? There are two kinds of UV: UVA and UVB. UVA rays account for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, as outlined by SkinCancer.org. UVA rays are present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year, and can penetrate clouds and glass. What can you do about it, though?

Windows Don’t Block UVA Radiation

Windows do not block all ultraviolet rays when you’re indoors. And while UVB rays can harm your skin, they are not as significant in harming your skin as are UVA rays are indoors. Perry Robins, MD, President, The Skin Cancer Foundation says: “We now know that UVA radiation can penetrate windows to reach the skin, accelerating skin aging.”

Use a Broad-Spectrum SunScreen

Your sunscreen should be at least 15 SPF, and include one of these UVA-protective ingredients: avobenzone, ecamsule, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. Make sure to apply it liberally to your face, in particular. Consumer Reports has a list of the best sunscreens, and what to look for.

Apply Window Film

Window film, which can be applied to home, office and car windows, blocks almost 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. This is the best way to prevent UVA rays from reaching you indoors. After all, you don’t always want to be wearing gloves, a hat, and sunscreen inside, do you? We have lots of different kinds of decorative window film, such as:

Have Questions?

As far as aesthetics, you may have lots of questions. We can help! By now you probably know that we are in Santa Clara, although we work all over the San Francisco Bay Area. Give us a call! We’d love to talk to you.

3M Daylight Redirecting Film: Five Ways it Can Change Your Life

Chances are you’ve never heard of daylight redirecting film, or known that it could change your life. But it can! We’ve written about window film and its benefits before, but daylight redirecting film is completely different. In case you didn’t know anything about this wondrous film, here is an introduction.

Daylight Redirecting Film Can Decrease Absenteeism

People react positively to natural daylight. And many builders create larger windows to allow more light into buildings. However, you can use 3M’s Daylight Redirecting Film rather than installing larger windows. And having more light makes a better work environment, which decreases absenteeism. See the video below to find out how.

Daylight Redirecting Film Works At All Times of Day

Even if the sun is low in the sky or there’s not that much light, 3M redirecting film can redirect sunlight and brighten up your office or home. The film can be modeled using software to redirect light according to your building’s orientation, weather, and time of year.

The video below shows a timelapse of 3M Daylight Redirecting Film in a building:

3M Daylight Redirecting Film Throws Light Deep into Buildings

We couldn’t say it any better than this 3M website: “New to the world 3M Daylight Redirecting Film, utilizes micro-replication to redirect light that would have originally hit the floor a few feet from the window, up onto the ceiling, helping to light the room as deep as 40 feet from the window.”

3M Daylight Redirecting Film Reduces Glare

Without window film, people often use shades or black-out curtains to block all light, which keeps the interior of a room dark. Without glare, people feel comfortable without the addition of curtains or shades, increasing their comfort.

Daylight Redirecting Film Increases Comfort

3M Redirecting Window Film is Cool

And by cool, we mean literally cool. And in the summertime, having a cooler home or office means less cooling costs.

Questions?

If you’re wondering about window film, give us a call! We recently moved to Santa Clara, in the San Francisco Bay Area.