Eastman Chemical Co., manufacturer of LLumar Window Film, has partnered with the Skin Cancer Foundation to educate consumers on the risk of excess sun exposure through glass in buildings and cars. According to a statement from Eastman, scientific research is increasingly showing drivers are particularly susceptible to sun damage on the left side of their bodies.

“Damage from certain kinds of ultraviolet rays is cumulative,” says Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, vice chair of the dermatology department at St. Louis University. “These rays, called UVA rays, penetrate deep into the skin and can silently accelerate the aging process, cause wrinkles and even skin cancer.” Unlike UVB rays which create immediate effects like blistering and burns, UVA rays create long-term damage that is not immediately noticeable, according to Eastman.

“That’s why many people don’t realize their skin is getting damaged from sitting near windows in cars or even at their desks at work,” says Dr.  Glaser.

As part of the Skin Cancer Awareness Month initiative, Eastman is supporting the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Road to Healthy Skin Tour which strives to detect skin cancers early on and educate consumers on the methods of prevention and treatment. Local LLumar window film dealers are available during the tour, which starts May 14 in Hoboken, N.J., and runs through August 30 in Redwood City, Calif., to help explain the benefits of film for consumers looking to have “sunscreen for your car.”

“In many Asian countries, window film is in eight out of 10 cars and is something of a status symbol,” says Mark Gershenson, director, global LLumar brand management at Eastman. “We see a clear need for education in this area in North America. Skin cancer can be prevented and window film is one of the easiest ways to mitigate the risks.”