3M, the global innovation powerhouse and pioneers of the world’s most advanced automotive sun control films, has partnered with the Dubai based School Transport Services LLC (STS), the trusted school transport provider in the UAE, in a campaign to increase the comfort and protection of school children during their travel. A 1,200-strong fleet of STS school busses are now protected with 3M’s superior sun control window films, which block up to 99.9% of harmful UV rays to provide a total Sun Protection Factor (SPF) that exceeds 1700.
Through the alliance with STS, more than 50,000 students will now ride to school and back in 3M-Protected school busses, which will significantly reduce their undue daily exposure to harmful UV rays that penetrate through glass and cause long-term skin damage and other associated risks such as skin cancer.
Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation, 3M’s automotive sun control films have been providing protection and comfort to occupants in vehicles for over 40 years. These superior films block out almost 100 percent of UV rays from sunlight streaming in through windows. The advanced technology used in 3M sun control films also reduce the heat and glare inside the vehicle thereby increasing the comfort of occupants in the vehicle without compromising visibility.
“For over four decades, 3M has been innovating superior automotive sun control solutions to protect and enhance the quality of lives for citizens in over 65 countries. Our alliance with STS to equip their fleet of school busses with 3M UV protection is our way of ensuring that we continuously make positive contributions to the communities in which we are present”, said Fadi Medlej, Country Business Leader, Industrial & Transport Business, 3M Gulf Limited.
“Studies have suggested that more than 50 per cent of total lifetime sunlight exposure occurs in childhood. Children are therefore more susceptible to the harmful effects of UV rays. Most school busses have conventional curtains which might provide shade but does little to prevent UV penetration. At the same time, they obstruct visibility not just for the children, but for the drivers as well. We take comfort in knowing that 3M’s advanced sun control films will now provide so many young children as well as drivers with protection, comfort and increased visibility as they travel to and from school daily”, added Medlej.
With over 50 years of excellence in transportation services in UAE, STS has been providing safe and reliable transport not only to the schools but also to hotels, hospitals and corporate entities. In the UAE, the organization possesses over 1,200 school busses that cater to some 35 schools.
“STS is committed to providing the best transport service with highest safety measures and comfort to each passenger. We are proud to partner with 3M in this noble initiative because it is very much in line with our objectives and vision. Each day our school busses transport over 50,000 students and cover more than 1,400 routes, traveling over 130,000 kms. This collaboration enables our young passengers as well as drivers and attendants to benefit from 3M sun control films which is one of the best in the industry”, said Col M L Augustine (Retd), Managing Director, STS
The sun’s rays are at their strongest in midday, which is when school children most exposed. In the UAE, UV radiation is at its most intense in the middle of the day between April and September. Even on cloudy days, UV penetration is still anywhere between 30 to 50 percent. The use of sun control films in vehicles not only helps prevent sunburn and undue daily UV exposure but can also be lifesavers for people with diseases involving dangerous photosensitivity, such as xeroderma pigmentosum and lupus.
