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The governor of Hawaii David Ige, promulgated a law that will prohibit the sale of sunscreens containing two chemicals believed to harm coral reefs.
Measurement makes Hawaii the first state in the United States to approve a ban on oxybenzone and octyl methoxycinnamate. The ban will take effect in 2021.
Scientists have discovered that these substances may be toxic to the corals which are a fundamental part of the ocean ecosystem and a popular attraction among tourists.
] Consumers would be allowed to buy sunscreen with the chemicals listed if prescribed by a doctor, although the measure alone does not prevent tourists from bringing their own blockers at Hawaii ]
Opponents say that there is not enough scientific studies to support the claim that chemicals are harming coral reefs.
The group of Hawaii retailers says it worries that the ban discourages people from buying sunscreen in traditional stores.
This is "a first step to help our reefs and protect them from deterioration," said Senator Donna Mercado Kim, who introduced the measure.
While other factors contribute to the deterioration of the reefs, "I hope that other jurisdictions will review this bill and do the same," he added. 19659003] "This is the first real opportunity that local reefs have to recover," said Craig Downs, a scientist whose 2015 study revealed that oxybenzone was a threat to humans.
"Many things kill coral reefs, but we know that oxybenzone prevents them from recovering," he said, adding that "this also affects sea urchins and destroys algae, a food source for sea turtles. "
Downs found that about 14,000 tons of sunscreen are found each year on coral reefs
DATA [19659014] The sunscreen products market generates around $ 2 billion s in the United States. [19659014] With information from AP
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