Does a normal car windshield block UV rays?

The sun is the most important source of energy for all living things. It is also responsible for most of the energy and heat we experience. Despite the many benefits, we receive from it, the sun is also responsible for causing harmful radiation and can have some serious consequences if we don’t protect ourselves from its UV rays. The sun’s radiation is actually divided into three different categories – UVA, UVB, and UVC – each having a different effect on our bodies. The third type, UVC, is not a concern because Earth’s ozone layer prevents it from entering our atmosphere, so that leaves us with UVA and UVB.

UV radiation can have negative consequences for our skin and health if not properly blocked or shielded. For example, too much exposure to UV radiation can lead to premature skin aging, eye damage, and skin cancer. That’s why it’s so important to take the necessary precautions when going outdoors, such as wearing a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses, as well as covering exposed skin with protective clothing. But even with these precautions, there is still one area we need to be aware of when it comes to UV protection - the windshield of your car.

Windshields are anything but standard glass; they are assembled by laminating two layers of glass together with a middle layer of thermoplastic called the interlayer, and this is where our focus will be. While side and rear windows of most vehicles do slightly reduce exposure from UVB, they are normally just a single sheet of tempered glass with no laminate layer and will not block significant amounts of UVA. Windshields, on the other hand, are able to filter out most UVB and UVA rays due to the vinyl interlayer which is treated with UV inhibitors. In this sense, windshields serve as an effective way to protect the driver and passengers of the car from the damaging effects of the sun’s UV rays.

So the answer to your question is yes, a normal car windshield will block most UV rays, and they do so more effectively than any other window in the car. The UV inhibitors in the vinyl interlayer are designed to reduce the amount of UV radiation that passes through the glass, making your ride that much safer from the damaging rays of the sun.

As you drive, your cars side windows protects you from UVB radiation. The side windows of your car don’t actually provide adequate protection from UVB radiation. This can be dangerous if you spend long periods of time in the car and you don’t have enough sunscreen or clothing to provide extra coverage. UVA radiation can cause photo-aging, premature wrinkles and increased skin cancer risks, so it’s important to know that the windows of your car are not enough to keep it out. In fact, the side windows are more of a UV reflector, not a UV absorber. So while they reflect UVB, they don’t absorb it and still let some pass through. The best way to protect your skin while you drive is to wear protective clothing and/or sunscreen, depending on how much time you’ll be spending in the car. For added protection, you can install a sunshade or a special window film that can absorb and/or reflect UV rays. 

When you’re out driving on a bright, sunny day, you may be getting more than just a beautiful view; you could also be getting exposed to dangerous UV rays that could cause skin cancer, cataracts, or other health problems. Protecting yourself with the proper clothing and other precautions is important, but it is equally important to make sure that the windows of your car are providing an extra layer of protection against UV rays. And yes, a normal car windshield can block most of the UV radiation and help keep you safe.