Safety under the Sun
烈日当空，你选对遮阳伞了吗？
Umbrellas aren’t just for rainy days. As everyone knows, they’re also great tools for blocking the sun.
除了能挡雨，伞还是遮阳利器。这一点地球人都知道。
But picking the right umbrella is tricky. You have to combine scientific know-how with fashion wisdom to make the right selection.
但是，挑选一把合适的伞实属不易。需要科学与时尚相结合，才能做出正确的选择。
To help you outshine others on the streets and effectively protect your skin, here we have some suggestions.
为了帮助大家在防晒的同时，还能吸引众人的眼球，以下是我们的一些建议：
1. Understand the UV protection factor
了解紫外线防护系数
Just like sunscreens, parasols are categorized with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) level indicating their ability to block ultraviolet rays (UV). UV rays are harmful radiation emitted by the sun and pose dangers to our skin ranging from minute tanning to even skin cancer and cataracts. A parasol labeled as UPF 30+ lets in less than one-thirtieth of UV rays. According to national standards, only umbrellas made of materials that have UPF 30+ and restrict the penetration of UV rays at 5 percent or less are qualified products that can be said to block UV rays. For daily use, you can choose parasols that are labeled at least UPF 30+. But if you stay outside for a longer time, settle for UV umbrellas or UV parasols that are labeled UPF 50+ or above, according to Buzzle.com, a general information website.
和防晒霜一样，遮阳伞也有紫外线防护系数（UPF）等级，用于表明阻挡紫外线效果的好坏。紫外线是由太阳散发的有害射线，对于皮肤有一定的危害，可能导致轻微晒伤，甚至导致皮肤癌和白内障。一把有UPF 30+标识的遮阳伞，能穿透它的紫外线不高于三十分之一。根据国家标准，只有UPF 30+和紫外线穿透率不低于5%的材料，才能算得上是防紫外线产品。日常生活中，可以选择UPF 30+或防晒系数更高的遮阳伞。但是，根据综合信息网站Buzzle.com的建议，如果在户外停留时间较长，应该选择防晒系数至少为UPF 50+的防紫外线伞或遮阳伞。
2. Fabrics matter
面料很重要
You might only consider the pattern of an umbrella to be worth paying attention to, but don’t ignore fabrics! Common umbrella fabrics include satin, polyester, cotton, nylon and other microfibermaterials. But studies show that polyester’s ability to block UV rays is better than other materials’. It absorbs and reflects UV rays more effectively.
你可能仅仅考虑了伞的图案，却忽略了它的面料。一般伞的面料包括缎子、涤纶、棉布、尼龙以及其他微纤维面料。但是研究表明，涤纶阻挡紫外线的效果比其他面料都要好。涤纶可以更有效地吸收并反射紫外线。
Nowadays, it’s said umbrellas with black coatings inside block the sun better than those with silver coatings. But according to The Mirror, which once did an experiment on umbrellas, their UV-blocking abilities are almost the same. So, don’t throw more money at buying umbrellas with black coatings, as silver is just as good.
目前，有种说法认为，比起银色涂料，伞内的黑色涂料可以更好地阻挡太阳光。但是，据英国《镜报》报道，根据他们做的试验，这两种涂料阻挡紫外线的效果几乎是相同的。所以，不要浪费银子去买黑色涂料的伞啦，银色涂料同样是不错的。
