Purpose: This white paper’s intent is to identify the multiple benefits of the product for indoor and outdoor cultivators. The product protects cultivators from full-spectrum light radiation, both organic and artificial, satisfies sanitation standards by being antibacterial/antimicrobial, is more cost-effective than current industry standards, and provides added comfort and mobility over competing alternatives.
Product Description: RayWear provides full-spectrum light radiation protection for cultivators. The product targets areas presenting the most significant potential risk, which includes everything above the waist. Product consists of shirts, pull-overs, beanies, and facial coverings. All products carry the same protective and sanitation properties.
Fabrics have been successfully tested over 50+ UPF (Ultraviolet Protective Factors) for UV A, B, and C, which is the highest rating a fabric can achieve. Fabric reduces visible light transmission by up to 99% and significantly reduces IR radiation.
The clothing worn by most workers in these environments fails dramatically at protecting against light radiation. The Skin Cancer Foundation has done extensive research on the protective qualities of clothing the average person is wearing. In simple terms, the average cotton t-shirt ranges from 4-12 Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). These numbers will vary due to thickness of the material, color, moisture in the air, moisture from your body, chlorine, the amount the garment has been washed, along with many other factors. A common misconception is that because your skin isn’t tanned or burned that you are not affected by the rays.
Analysis of Harmful Rays:
Ultraviolet (UV) Light Radiation:
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major risk factor for most skin cancers. Excessive exposure to UV from both natural and artificial sources creates a greater risk for skin cancer. UV rays damage the DNA of skin cells. Skin cancers start when this damage affects the DNA of genes that control skin cell growth.
Visible Light Radiation:
Comprehensive studies regarding the absorption spectrum of endogenous and exogenous skin chromophores have shown to be exerted by visible light radiation including erythema, pigmentation, thermal damage, and free radical production as a result from the advances of understanding skin optics. [It has also been shown that visible light can induce indirect DNA damage through the generation of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, a number of photodermatoses have an action spectrum in the visible light range.
Infrared (IR) Light Radiation:
Recent research has shown that IR and heat exposure induces cutaneous angiogenesis and inflammatory cellular infiltration which disrupts the dermal extracellular matrix by inducing matrix metalloproteinases and alters dermal structural proteins, thereby adding to premature skin aging.
Conclusion: Growing demands and technological advances have accelerated the cultivation industry, while safety regulations have not been able to keep up. As the industry expands, more cultivators are being exposed to light radiation. This inevitable spike in exposure will lead to related health issues. The current standards (i.e. scrubs and other alternatives) do not meet the protective needs of the industry. RayWear provides full-spectrum protection, at a lower annual cost than scrubs, with increased comfort benefits.