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Hawaii Governor David Ige on Tuesday signed a law banning the sale of chemicals containing two chemicals that could harm coral reefs.
Hawaii is the first US state to ban oxybenzone and octinoxate.
"This is only a small step towards protecting and restoring the resilience of Hawaii's reefs," said Ige at a signing ceremony of the project. law, which will take effect in 2021.
Ige said that the state should also coral, including the fight against invasive species, pollution from land runoff and climate change.
The sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate will only be available to people on prescription from a physician. Others will have to buy sunscreens without these chemicals or bring their own sunscreen with them to Hawaii.
Scientists have discovered that both substances can be toxic to coral reefs, which are a vital part of the oceanic ecosystem.
State Senator Roz Baker, who represents the south and west of Maui, said the bill was of enormous importance because coral is a fundamental part of a community. ecosystem more important for the health of the planet.
Enough independent scientific studies supporting the claim that chemicals are harmful to coral reefs.
The Retail Merchants group of Hawaii has expressed fears that the ban would discourage people from buying sunscreen in brick and mortar stores. , who represents the suburbs of Kailua and Waimbado in Honolulu, said the law is a necessary step to help Hawaii transmit its reefs, ocean, tourism and lifestyle to the next generation.
He said leaders must act quickly to save what the coral world has left.
"We know the tide is against us, we have little time," Lee said.
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