Environmental Health News, Week 5: Our Coral Reefs vs. Sunscreen

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The NY Times published an article informing readers that sunscreen contributes to damaging our coral reefs around the world. According to a 2008 study by Environmental Health Perspectives, non-biodegradable sunscreen is toxic and can cause "viral infection in corals that can lead to bleaching." The study also revealed that 14,000 tons of sunscreen is deposited in the oceans each year. While places like Hawaii are attempting to place bans on non-biodegradable sunscreen, they are meeting resistance from individuals who claim that coral bleaching is not due to sunscreen but to other factors such as global warming, agricultural runoff, sewage, or overfishing. Sunscreen should still be allowed as it protects us against skin cancer, they argue.

Reading this article, I thought back to when I traveled to the Galapagos Islands. I was fortunate enough to go snorkeling in their amazing waters, but I remember that specific eco-friendly sunscreen was recommended, to reduce damage to the marine wildlife and ecosystems. The Galapagos Islands are very serious about protecting their wildlife and environment. I also thought about the trip I took to Hawaii last year. No regulations were in place and people could use any sunscreen or lotion that they wanted, and no one really thought about the effects of this on the environment. The two places were very different.

In addition to causing harm to the water and marine wildlife, I also thought back to our previous assignment on cosmetics when I discovered that my sunscreen had harmful chemicals in them. Therefore, the sunscreen is not safe for us, animals and marine wildlife, nor the environment. I think this would be an argument against those who believe that sunscreen should not be regulated as it only "protects" us from skin cancer.

Reference
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/19/travel/most-sunscreens-can-harm-coral-reefs-what-should-travelers-do.html

Comments

  1. Ashley SubramaniFebruary 21, 2018 at 9:10 PM

    We often just believe that sunscreen is safe and helpful as it is suppose to protect us from the sun. While were focused on protecting ourselves, we seemed to have forgotten the impact it has on the environment. As a society, we need to be aware of the products we use not just for our own health's sake, but for the well being of our environment as well. I would have never thought of sunscreen hurting the coral reefs but I know it's possible as many sunscreens have dangerous chemicals in them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. RaeMay 9, 2018 at 12:40 AM

    The ocean currents travel like air currents for pollution. It is sad that we even still have these products knowing that they cause harm to the animal and environment. I know that the hospital soap, hibiclens (from the MSDS) is extremely toxic to aquatic life and I wonder when we wash our hands, how much of that is getting into the ocean.

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