Palau joins Hawaii in banning sunscreen harmful to coral

SYDNEY >> The Western Pacific Nation of Palau, Canada, in a move to protect its coral reefs from science.

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SYDNEY >> The Western Pacific Nation of Palau, Canada, in a move to protect its coral reefs from science.

Under the ban, which will take effect in 2020, "reef-toxic" sunscreen – defined as containing one of 10 Prohibited chemicals, a list that could grow later – can be confiscated from tourists when they enter the country, and retailers who sell it can be fined up to $ 1,000.

Damage to coral reefs, et al.

Palau pbaded the ban into law last week. President Tommy Remengesau called it "especially timely," saying that it was a major event in the world in one of the world's UNESCO World Heritage sites.

– What threat does sunscreen pose to coral?

It has been estimated that 14,000 tones of sunscreen are deposited in the world's oceans each year, and scientists say they have shown the product's adverse effects on coral reefs.

Researchers found that even a few years ago, Dr. Selina Ward was a lecturer in coral reef ecology and physiology at the University of Queensland in Australia. Studies have also shown that these chemicals can cause localized coral bleaching and can disrupt the reproduction of hormonal systems, Ward said.

Chemicals in sunscreen can be "bigger than climate change" in the cause of damage, Craig Downs, executive director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Virginia, said this year. In 2015, Downs led to the development of oxybenzone, which is commonly used in sunscreen, which is a stunt for growth and maintenance of living conditions, providing their color and other vital functions.

– Have there been other sunscreen bans?

In May, Hawaii became the first state of the art containing oxybenzone or octinoxate, another chemical that scientists say is damaging to coral. The ban is scheduled to go into effect in January 2021.

Nonbiodegradable sunscreen is banned in some parts of Mexico. At Xel-Há, a tourist development on the Mayan Riviera, visitors can take a closer look at the world.

– What are the alternatives?

Not all sunscreens are "reef-toxic." But "some of the sunscreens without these chemicals are quite expensive, which is a disincentive," Ward said. "I'm sure I will get it soon, and put it at an affordable rate."

The most common commercial sunscreen brands contain oxybenzone, Ward said. But it also warns against mineral-based sunscreens containing zinc oxide. They were once considered to be a cause for further investigation, but it is more important that they can be used for microbial enrichment.

"I think wearing fabrics on your body is the best alternative to sunscreen," she said. "We have stinger suits in the summer, when it's too hot for a wet suit. Cover your whole body in Lycra – an attractive look, if you can imagine. "

She noted that the global phenomenon, including global warming and pollution of the oceans. By comparison, she said, sunscreen is "the one that we can solve."

– What do others say?

Sunscreen manufacturers, not surprisingly, opposed to Hawaii ban. But they are not alone in arguing that commercial sunscreens do more good than harm.

"At the moment, research on sunscreens' effects on coral is limited," said Heather Walker, chairwoman of the Cancer Council of Australia's National Skin Cancer Committee. "By contrast, the evidence that sunscreen prevents skin cancer is conclusive. In this context, a ban is hasty. "

Currently, Walker said, there is no accepted standard for what constitutes "environmentally friendly" sunscreen.

"We would be concerned if Australians stopped using sunscreen more generally," she said.

Kim Do, a senior industry badyst at IBIS World, said the market research company, said not so much. She said the industry was "expected to continue undertaking product research and development to meet changing consumer demands."