Hawaii may soon ban sunscreen containing reef-killing chemicals
- 6 years ago
HONOLULU — The same sunscreen that's protecting our skin is apparently harming the marine ecosystem.
The Honolulu Star Advertiser reports that Hawaii lawmakers passed a bill on Tuesday prohibiting the sale and distribution of sunscreen that contains two chemicals known to damage coral reefs.
Popular sunscreen brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Hawaiian Tropic have been found to contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, which filter and absorb UV rays.
A 2015 study led by the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Virginia looked at reefs in Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Israel, and found that the chemicals caused bleaching by eliminating algae and nutrients in the coral.
According to NPR, just one drop of sunscreen is reportedly enough to damage delicate reef systems and disrupt the development of marine wildlife.
Sunscreen manufacturers and retail and health reps who oppose the ban claim banning the chemicals could leave millions vulnerable to harmful sun exposure.
The bill will need to be signed by the governor to pass into legislation. If it does, Hawaii will become the first U.S. state to enact a law of this kind, which will take effect on January 1, 2021.
The Honolulu Star Advertiser reports that Hawaii lawmakers passed a bill on Tuesday prohibiting the sale and distribution of sunscreen that contains two chemicals known to damage coral reefs.
Popular sunscreen brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Hawaiian Tropic have been found to contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, which filter and absorb UV rays.
A 2015 study led by the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Virginia looked at reefs in Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Israel, and found that the chemicals caused bleaching by eliminating algae and nutrients in the coral.
According to NPR, just one drop of sunscreen is reportedly enough to damage delicate reef systems and disrupt the development of marine wildlife.
Sunscreen manufacturers and retail and health reps who oppose the ban claim banning the chemicals could leave millions vulnerable to harmful sun exposure.
The bill will need to be signed by the governor to pass into legislation. If it does, Hawaii will become the first U.S. state to enact a law of this kind, which will take effect on January 1, 2021.