Assessment of Ultraviolet and Infrared Radiations Transmission in Automobile Windshields and Side Windows

Background Although exposure to solar radiation is beneficial for humans, too much of it can cause severe health conditions, including sunburn and skin cancer. The biological effects of solar radiation vary enormously with wavelength and exposure time. Ultraviolet and infrared radiations are the two main invisible components of solar radiation, causing skin damage. People are becoming more aware of the significance of sun protection, though little attention is directed to the exposure of the skin to UV and IR radiations through car windows. According to a survey of 1293 participants, mainly from Saudi Arabia, the fact that UV radiation can penetrate through car windows is known by the majority, i.e., 82%. However, the capability of IR radiation to penetrate vehicle windows is unknown to most people. Even though car windows reduce the transmission of ultraviolet and infrared rays, drivers are not isolated from them completely. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that measures solar exposure in cars in the middle east region, which is famous for its hot and arid (dry) climate with temperatures reaching over 52°C. Specifically, this study aimed to determine the driver exposure to UV and IR radiations in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and emphasize the need to take the necessary measures to avoid exposure to these rays.

An experiment using a PMA2100 datalogger radiometer was conducted inside and outside twenty vehicles. The radiometer measured the transmitted radiation through the front and the side windows. Then, the UV and IR measurements were analyzed and evaluated inside all vehicles.

The average transmission percentage of ultraviolet through the car’s side window was 10.47%, while the front window only transmitted 4.06%. In comparison, the average transmission percentage of infrared through the side window was 30.02% and 39.30% through the front windows.

These results highlight the importance of protection against UV and IR radiations since the drivers are exposed to significant UV and IR radiations. Furthermore, the protection methods must be increased in areas with a hot climate, such as the middle east region. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement This project was funded by Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University for supporting and funding this research (Project Number: 2020-033-Eng). Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes DATA AVAILABILITY The datasets during and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.