Do you spend a portion of your day behind the wheel? If so, you may want to read this study.
If you spend a lot of time driving each day, you may want to pay close attention to this recent study. According to a report from UPI, researchers from the Boxer Wachler Vision Institute in California have shown that the windows in a surprising number of automobiles fail to provide adequate protection against the sun’s UV-A rays.
This is particularly important for people who live in sunny climates and spend more than a few minutes on the road each day. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet A rays can increase the risk of developing skin cancer or cataracts, prompting concern among drivers around the nation.
Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler analyzed the UV defenses of 29 different car models from 15 different manufacturers to get a better idea of the risks faced by drivers every day. He measured the levels of ambient UV-A radiation behind the front windshield and behind the window on the driver’s side of each car. The sample included cars produced from 1990 to 2014.
The findings showed that while the front windshield was able to block an average of 96 percent of ultraviolet A radiation, side windows only blocked an average of 71 percent. Only 14 percent of the cars offered adequate UV-A protection in the driver’s side windows.
Boxer Wachler says that this discrepancy in ultraviolet A protection contributes to a higher incidence of cataracts in the left eye, as well as higher rates of skin cancer on the left sides of peoples’ faces. “Automakers may wish to consider increasing the degree of UV-A protection in the side windows of automobiles,” he said.
The study presents an unsettling reality for people who must commute to work each day. Health officials recommend applying sunscreen on particularly bright days, or considering installing an aftermarket window tint that has the ability to block UV-A rays from entering the automobile.
A JAMA press release describing the details of the study can be found here.