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This is UPE Breaking News.
Good afternoon. I'm Isaliz Gonzalez.
We're sorry to interrupt your program, but we have important news.
I'm Grace Romano. We're coming a little bit early this afternoon
because we have breaking news this hour.
A massive fireball is burning right now high in the position of the sun.
The sun rays have continuous U.V. rays and are just waiting to attack your skin.
It's happening right now.
Yes, yes. Our understanding of exactly what kind of damage the sun causes to the skin
and how to protect ourselves seems to shift every year as new research comes out.
Both UV-A and UV-B penetrate the atmosphere and play an important role in skin conditions
such as premature skin aging, eye conditions including cataracts, and skin cancers.
We have news that NASA is working on something that can help us all.
Samantha Herrod is in the science lab right now.
All right, tell us all about this new development, or spinoff as you will.
Thank you, Grace.
Beginning in 1968, NASA began researching garments to help astronauts stay cool.
Space suits not only keep astronauts cool, but also use multiple layers of heavy fabric
to block the sun's ultraviolet, UV, rays from burning the skin.
Samantha, did NASA have anybody helping them on this task?
Yes, there are many people helping them,
mainly Solar Protective Factory, Incorporated, SPF, a Madison, Wisconsin-based company
that have been developing
commercial U.V.-resistant fabrics since 1989.
Samantha, tell us about this material. Is it wearable for the average person?
Yes, Isaliz. The original prototypes were proective cool suits that included
a hat, gloves, socks, pants, scarf, goggles, and jacket,
truly covering the whole wearer from head to toe.
Samantha, it's my understanding that NASA did not stop there, and they continue to improve?
Yes, Grace, you are correct.
Ordinary beach-goers are now benefitting from NASA and Solar Protective Factory, Incorporated's partnership.
The U.V.-blocking fabric that was used to
to protect the most sensitive patients from damaging sun and heat
is now being used in swimwear and clothing for the public.
Here is Juliana, who is wearing an example of the breathable
U.V.-blocking fabric that you can wear to the beach.
Juliana, did you know you're being exposed to dangerous U.V. sun rays?
Yes. For years I worried about my skin being expoed to dangerous sun rays.
That's why I purchased this.
Juliana, is the shirt comfortable?
Yes. It is very comfortable.
I can wear it all day at the beach while surfing or just hanging out with my friends.
It protects me from the sun so I don't have to forget to re-apply sun screen.
The NASA fabric is incorporated into a solar product,
allowing them to create a comfortable fabric that has the benefits of the U.V.-blocking ability
and breathability and elasticity of a weave.
Well there you have it. I'm Samantha Herrod reporting from the site.
Thank you for that report, Samantha. Well, Isaliz, what do you think about this material?
I should mention to our viewers that Solar Protective Factory, Incorporated
uses U.V.-blocking fabric it has developed with NASA
in its (garbled) product lines.
The (garbled) blocks 98% of ultraviolet rays
in part due to special stitching and SPF's special process
which enhances the fabric reflectively and U.V. absorption
by applying charcoal, coconut, and titanium in the finishing process.
Incredible. Thank you for your time.
We now take you back to your regularly scheduled program.