Does your sunscreen kill coral reefs?

(CNN) – We are in the middle of the summer and countless families are enjoying free time and warm weather to explore. holidays. Hawaii is a popular destination, with nearly 800,000 visitors in May alone, according to state tourism data.

The state recently banned two sunscreen ingredients that researchers found to be dangerous for coral reefs. Here is what it means to you

Which solar ingredients are prohibited?

Effective January 1, 2021, Hawaii will prohibit the sale, offering for sale or distribution of any sunscreen containing oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription of A licensed health care provider. The chemicals could also be labeled as benzophenone-3 and octyl methoxycinnamate, respectively.

Why do Hawaii ban oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreens?

Both ingredients help protect the skin from UV rays. bleaching, deformities, damage to DNA and, ultimately, death in corals when sunscreen is washed on bathers or is discharged into sewage treatment plants and deposited in the plans. ;water. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, coral reefs are vital components of marine ecosystems that protect beaches from erosion and support biodiversity.

Are these ingredients equally dangerous to humans?

Oxybenzone and Octinoxate The official position of the American Academy of Dermatology Association is that "claims that sunscreen ingredients currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration are toxic to the Environment or danger "(19659006). to human health have not been proven. "You can find a list of active ingredients approved by the FDA
on the agency's website.

The Environmental Working Group Defense Organization says that prohibited ingredients can cause hormonal disruption and allergic skin reactions.

According to Craig Downs, forensic ecotoxicologist, executive director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory and leader, toxic levels have been observed in fish, turtle eggs, algae, dolphins, oysters , crayfish, mussels and even human breast milk and dolphin. "author of the study that pushed Hawaii to ban ingredients.

Could the sunscreen affect the l & # 39; 39 environment even though I am far from Hawaii?

This is more of a local problem.Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.While off Government officials encourage everyone to use as much as possible "reef" sunscreens, the chances of Montana water, for example, to harm the reefs of Hawaii are slim

. The Ministry of Environmental Protection's Coral Reef Conservation Program urges divers to avoid using sunscreens with oxybenzone to protect Florida's reef

but Downs says that oxybenzone and octinoxate have been detected in waters all over the world, including Barrow, Alaska. The oxybenzone has a half – life of 2.4 years in the seawater, so that a plume of sewage or water coming from the seawater. a popular swimming area can go downstream and drain into coastal waters ]

You can use sunscreens with ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, that place a physical barrier between your skin and the sun and reflect its rays.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on the exposed areas of the body each day. Doctors also suggest staying outside in the shade and wearing appropriate clothing, hats and sunglasses.