Is sunscreen damaging coral reefs?

To Help Marine Ecosystems, Hawaii Bans Sunscreen - Starting 2021.

By: Lizzi Botta

Coral reefs are beginning to become extinct, but climate change is not the only reason to blame for this- scientists have found that the chemicals in sunscreen are killing these very important organisms. This is such a big problem that the state of Hawaii has created a law saying that sunscreen containing common ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate are not allowed to be sold anymore, starting in 2021. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are not only chemicals that are toxic to coral reefs, but when these react, coral reefs can never be reformed again. When planula, the larvae stage of coral, comes in contact with oxybenzone, their DNA and skeleton structure get damaged.

The chemicals in sunscreen are also deadly to fish, sea grass, and marine algae- if fish are exposed to oxybenzone for more than 45 days, they will produce deformed offspring. In Hawaii especially, the economy depends on the aquatic organisms; without any marine life, cultural practices could be destroyed, as well as tourism.

Mineral based sunscreen is a good start to an alternate formula not containing the two toxic chemicals, but it is still not perfect. Research is being done to find the most effective sunscreen that does not harm marine life, but in the meantime; chose a sunscreen that has a simple mineral formula, try to avoid going to the beach during midday hours, and use protective clothing such as hats or t-shirts.

Some may be wondering, "how can the little amount of sunscreen I am using be killing coral reefs?". And the answer is, a small quantity of sunscreen for each person adds up- at Oahu's Hanauma Bay State Park, "370 pounds of oxybenzone washes off swimmers monthly", according to Craig Downs. The cycle of how oxybenzone gets in the oceans starts when this chemical is absorbed through the skin and as oxybenzone flows through the ocean, it bioaccumulates in the fish. When humans eat the fish, the cycle continues on again.

Hawaii's oceans contain over 5,000 species that are not found anywhere else in the world, and if these toxic chemicals in sunscreen keep getting used, soon all of these species will never be seen again. Although this is a dark reality, there is a positive- there are lots of people who are willing to buy a different sunscreen if it means animals like turtles get to live.

~ If you want to learn more, go to...
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2018-09-25/hawaii-sunscreen-ban-to-help-protect-coral-reef-from-chemicals