Recent news regarding the labeling of sunscreens reveals inaccurate UV protection for a variety of expensive and inexpensive sunscreen products (1). This study investigates such UV protection of several commercial sunscreens to prevent curing of a select photosenstive, polymeric material. This select polymer is a coating for an optical fiber produced by a local, private company. Preliminary data differentiates several commercial sunscreen products based on the polymer hardness. Ultraviolet sources include UV lamps and outside exposure to the sun. UV intensity (mW/cm2) will be monitored using several photosensors (Vernier UVA-BTA & UVB-BTA and General Tool UV513AB). Additional studies of how the polymer cures with correlations among radiation intensity, exposure time and contact of the polymer with various material surfaces (within an apparatus) will be presented.(1) Erickson, B.E. Sunscreen Safety. Chem. Eng. News, July 2008, p. 44.

Ultraviolet radiation exposure study of a select polymeric material using commercial sunscreens

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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