I'd like to know whether it is possible for me to be sunburned through
my car windows. I'm white with relatively fair skin and have normal
car windows (factory installed with my 99 Ford Explorer). Simple
answer with some analysis and links please.

Thanks for your time

Howdy beyondgoodandevil-ga,

The Australian based ninemsn wen site has a Q&A by Dr. Caroline West which
addresses this very issue.
http://health.ninemsn.com.au/asktheexperts/carolinewest.aspx?id=1242

"Standard car window glass blocks out most UVB which burns the skin, but it
still lets through some UVA which ages the skin and can cause wrinkles.
...
To get around the problem whilst driving, wear a SPF 30?plus sunscreen that
is broad spectrum ..."

The United Organ Transplant Association agrees with Dr. West.
http://www.uota.org/2004bSummer/

"You can even get sunburn driving in your car. UVA rays penetrate glass, so
lotion up."

Meteorologist Jeff Haby goes into some scientific detail on the subject in
his "Sunburn/Tanning Myths Exposed" article on TheWeatherPrediction.com.
http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/219/

"Have you wondered if you can get sunburn or tan through a window? A window
acts like a sunscreen. It does not block all the UV radiation but it does
block the most dangerous wavelengths of UV radiation. Glass absorbs short
wavelength ultraviolet light, but it does pass 350 to 400 nanometer
ultraviolets. While this longer wavelength ultraviolet is less harmful than
the shorter wavelength variety, you can still tan or burn if you get enough
exposure."

If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.


Search strategy:

Google search on: sunburn driving
://www.google.com/search?q=sunburn+driving

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

---

Clarification of Answer by denco-ga on 04 Aug 2005 11:53 PDT

To respond to the comments, here is a source for a replacement windshields
as well as a source for a film coating that will block up to 99.9% of all
UV rays including UVA.

LLumar Window Film
http://www.llumar.com/na-eng/Automotive/car-styler.html

"LLumar Automotive Films"


Southwall Technologies
http://southwall.com/products/xir_auto.html

"XIR Automotive Glass"


As for window tint film, all states consider front windshield tinting
unsafe and illegal.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

Excellent, prompt answer

I wonder if there's any protection that can be installed on the car
window to block every UV rays. I wonder if the asker would like to
knoe that info as well.

Of course there is protection that can be installed on the car
window... It's called window tint. Use 3M, its the best and it comes
in a wide range of different shades and how much UV it blocks. Look
into that, also it will make your car look better :)

Thanks for the kind comment and 5 star rating, beyondgoodandevil-ga.

Apologies on the typographic error in the body of my answer.

"The Australian based ninemsn wen site ..."

should have read:

"The Australian based ninemsn web site ..."


Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher