New disposable wristband tells you when it's time to get out of the sun

PA

If you worry about how much time you're spending in the sun while on holiday, a Swedish company has found a solution - a paper wrist strap, like the bands worn at resorts or at a festival that changes colour when you've been exposed to a certain amount of UV radiation.

According to the Daily Mail, the wristband changes from yellow to pink as the UV radiation increases and could help prevent sunburn and the risk of cancer.

The band works using an acid-release agent which picks up ultraviolet light and dye which responds to pH levels in the indicator.

Decomposed by sunlight, the agent then sees a rapid change in colour.

The bands will be tailored to various skin types reflecting people's tolerance levels to the sun. For example, someone with fair hair and light skin will have a band that changes colour quicker to a wristband for someone with dark skin and hair.

Swedish company Intellego Technologies, founded by entrepreneur Claus Lindahl is commercialising the wristband.

'We are very excited about the UV dosimeter technology and we look forward to developing it further and commercialising it,' he told the Daily Mail.

'There is a substantial need out in the market for a functional UV dosimeter and we look forward to continuing the process.'

The original invention was by Professor Andrew Mills and Dr Michael McFarlane, both formerly in the department of pure and applied chemistry at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. They will now be engaged as consultants to Intellego Technologies.

Mills said: 'The bands will have to cost less than 10p each because they are disposable and need to be thrown away at the end of the day.

The wristbands are set to be commercialised by spring 2013, making them available for next year's summer holidays.

Fiona Strang, Commercialisation Manager with the University of Strathclyde's Research & Knowledge Exchange Services said: 'The sunburn monitor will make a significant contribution to public health as an affordable, fashionable device which enables people to enjoy the benefits of the sun while at the same time keeping them alert to the risks of over- exposure.'

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