CHEMICAL SS BAD FOR CORAL REEFS!
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free skin care · Sat Mar 15, 2008 12:00 pm

I just read that the chemical sunscreens we use are being washed out to sea and are bleaching the coral reefs and causing damage to the ecosystem. Strictly physical sunblocks (tit diox and zinc diox) are recommended by scuba divers.
I spose it's OK to use the physical ss for gardening, etc, but not around the water.

free skin care · Sat Mar 15, 2008 1:16 pm

On several dives we were strictly advised beforehand of the sunscreens to wear (and very limited at that) and not to wear makeup, deodorant or perfume, have clean hair, etc. The guide told of quite a few reefs that were loosing color due to tourists "polluting" the waters (along with touching them) and I've seen one myself in Cancun that had changed dramatically since I last saw it 15 years ago. Nature is the proverbial canary in a coal mine.

free skin care · Sat Mar 15, 2008 2:18 pm

That's very good news Annie. I'm glad there is some restraint going on! I wish there would be a "black box" warning listed on the labels to warn us about the hazards to the environment of these chemicals.
Seems like it's already too late, doesn't it.

Sat Mar 15, 2008 2:32 pm

Here's the link to the article....

Are Sunscreens Killing the Coral Reefs?

Scientists have reported that sunscreen may be to blame for dying coral reefs...

Scientists have reported that sunscreen may be to blame for dying coral reefs. In the January 2008 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, it is reported that four common sunscreen ingredients activate viruses that kill an algae that feeds coral through protosynthesis. Without the algae, the coral turns white and dies.

The four chemicals in question are octinoxate, oxybenzone and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and butylparaben. According to the scientists, nearly 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers every year. Scientists at the Polytechnic University of Marche in Italy estimates 10% of coral reefs worldwide are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching.

To avoid possibly damaging coral reefs, scientists are recommending that sunscreen users choose a sunscreen with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as active ingredients. They also recommend choosing a biodegradable sunscreen whose ingredients break down in seawater, many noting that consumers should be leary of waterproof sunscreen.

http://www.skininc.com/spabusiness/sustainability/15629582.html

A link to the research article:

Sunscreens Cause Coral Bleaching by Promoting Viral Infections www.ehponline.org/docs/2008/10966/abstract.html

free skin care · Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:31 pm

All the more reason to stick with physical sunscreens! So glad I got off the chemical bandwagon.

free skin care · Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:58 am

Wow, thanks I never heard this before. I just returned from a snorkeling trip in the Keys. I used to Scuba dive but was never told about the problem with sun screens.
Will be more careful in the future.

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