Conservation Sunday and The Sunscreen Wars - Be an Educated Consumer

Estimates are that 14,000 tons of SunScreen made it into the world's reefs last year. Countries, States, and Citys are beginning to pass bans on the chemicals found in sunscreens that are known to negatively affect the health of the reefs of the world.  For examples look at Palau, Hawaii, and Key West, FL.

Bleached Coral Reef

We, at ReefBox, recommend that everyone become educated on these chemicals to ensure they are making the best choice for themselves and for the environment. We also encourage everyone to be conscious of what products they use and those products impact on the environment. In our June Box, we included Stream2Sea sting relieve and sunscreen. (Click here for application instructions). Check out Leslie from Stream2Sea on BeachTalk Radio and the comments from Garrett Stuart, a marine scientist, from the Eco Preservation Project to get other perspectives.

1. Finding Agreement in the Science 

At this point, not everyone agrees on the science or how many chemicals should be been banned. Summarizing the scientific debate would take multiple pages so let us simplify. It may happen in a future post.

Why Certain Chemicals Are Not Healthy for Us

In the U.S. oxybenzone and octinoxate are the main chemicals included in the bans in Key West, FL & Hawaii. But there are many other chemicals that are suspected to be detrimental marine life. Keep in mind that these dangerous chemicals also exist in many other personal care products. For example, face soap, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner.

Oxybenzone has been implicated by the CDC as a possible endocrine disruptor and has been linked to Hirschsprung's disease.  We apply and absorb these toxins through sunscreens and personal care items. As a double whammy, once in the ocean they are absorbed by the fish we eat.  This doubles our exposure.

2. Reef Save is not Always Reef Safe

Understand anyone can use the term Reef Safe because it is not regulated.  As more bans come into effect, more companies are creating products that are truly Reef Safe; those companies may also carry product lines that contain banned chemicals. Look for the banned chemicals and don't use them. Also, look for products that provide scientific testing to support their claims.

3. Understand How Sunscreens Work?

The Iconic Lifeguard Look

Part of the solution is for consumers to understand how sunscreens work. Their purpose is to block harmful UVA & UVB rays. They either sit on top of the skin, typically mineral-based sunscreens or they are absorbed into the skin, typically chemical-based sunscreens.  Remember the classic lifeguard look? Some of the harmful chemicals in lotions are the ones that make sunscreens absorb into the skin with mineral based sunscreen a little goes a long way.

Renee Jeffreys Heil, is an epidemiologist and co-owner of ReefBox the first subscription box company for scuba divers. A portion of our profits each month are donated to ocean conservation. Sign up for our newsletter at www.reefbox.us.