Sunscreen and Potential Effects on Marine Environments
Sunscreen is a beach bag staple for many people. It is considered an over-the-counter medication for the prevention of sunburn and skin cancer by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Spending extended periods of time in the sun without proper protection can result in a sunburn, a physical sign of acute sun damage that can often be painful. While symptoms of sunburn typically go away in a few days, long-term damage from sun exposure can result in skin cancer (an abnormal growth of skin cells), premature skin aging, and eye damage. To put the prevalence of long-term sun damage in perspective, about one in every five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, according to statistics from the Skin Cancer Foundation.
A form of prevention, the regular application of sunscreen can reduce the risk of skin cancer. In fact, one study showed that for people working outdoors, reapplying sunscreen to skin is necessary because the initial application of sunscreen may not be enough for skin protection against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation after a few hours. The specific protection provided by individual sunscreens is expressed as the sun protection factor (SPF), which can commonly be seen on sunscreen product labels.
As active ingredients in sunscreens and other personal care products, UV filters are compounds that can block or absorb UV light. Most sunscreens contain between three and eight separate UV filters to allow for a broader range of UV protection. Unfortunately, some commonly used UV filters in sunscreen, including oxybenzone and avobenzone, have the potential to transform into harmful byproducts. The increase in sunscreen use following growing concerns on the negative health effects of UV radiation, accompanied with the rise of marine and coastal tourism, has led to more sunscreen ingredients being found in marine ecosystems.
A form of prevention, the regular application of sunscreen can reduce the risk of skin cancer. In fact, one study showed that for people working outdoors, reapplying sunscreen to skin is necessary because the initial application of sunscreen may not be enough for skin protection against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation after a few hours. The specific protection provided by individual sunscreens is expressed as the sun protection factor (SPF), which can commonly be seen on sunscreen product labels.
As active ingredients in sunscreens and other personal care products, UV filters are compounds that can block or absorb UV light. Most sunscreens contain between three and eight separate UV filters to allow for a broader range of UV protection. Unfortunately, some commonly used UV filters in sunscreen, including oxybenzone and avobenzone, have the potential to transform into harmful byproducts. The increase in sunscreen use following growing concerns on the negative health effects of UV radiation, accompanied with the rise of marine and coastal tourism, has led to more sunscreen ingredients being found in marine ecosystems.
Image Source: Francesco Ungaro
Marine ecosystems are aquatic environments containing high levels of dissolved salt, such as the ocean. Within these marine ecosystems are the diverse coral reefs, which are estimated to house around 25% of all ocean species. Benefits of coral reef ecosystems include protecting coastlines from storms and erosion and providing jobs for many people. Unfortunately, humans can damage these reefs through overfishing, destructive forms of fishing, and pollution. UV filters from sunscreens contribute to the pollution that negatively affects coral reefs. In fact, at least 10% of the world’s coral reefs are at risk due to exposure to UV filters. This is problematic because the loss of coral reefs would be an economic disaster strongly affecting populations that depend on fishing for food and income, as well as the tourism industry.
To protect coral reefs while also protecting the skin, scientists recommend that people make themselves aware of the UV filters found in sunscreen and opt for reef-safe sunscreen that does not contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, and the other chemicals found in this list. Sunscreen is a crucial form of skin protection, and it needs to be safe not only for humans, but also for the environment it can potentially affect.
To protect coral reefs while also protecting the skin, scientists recommend that people make themselves aware of the UV filters found in sunscreen and opt for reef-safe sunscreen that does not contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, and the other chemicals found in this list. Sunscreen is a crucial form of skin protection, and it needs to be safe not only for humans, but also for the environment it can potentially affect.
Featured Image Source: Kindel Media
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