Palau is the first in the world to ban sunscreens

In just over a year, Palau hopes that the ban on solar products harmful to reefs will be introduced. The reason is that the small island nation of the Western Pacific, between Australia and Japan, is entirely dependent on tourism revenues generated by world-renowned coral formations.

The destroyed coral reindeer has also destroyed Palaus' economy – and you want to avoid it.

Disincentives

According to the government, it is scientifically proven that sun protection products, especially those sprayed on the body, are directly toxic to corals, even at lower concentrations. From Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, it has already been reported that coral reefs have been completely destroyed by the sunscreen chemicals left behind by visitors bathing.

In other words, hundreds of sun-bathed divers and divers diverted daily to Palaus' famous dive sites can be deadly to corals.

– It is litervis with sunscreen that ends in the ocean right next to our most sensitive reefs. We are just trying to prevent nature from polluting, "the government spokesman told AFP.

Available in many products

The political decision on the new legislation was taken last week and the rules are expected to come into force at the end of the 2019/2020 year. As a result, Palau, before Hawaii, banned tanning products containing oxybenzone, octo-cry or parabens as the world's first region.

These chemicals are found according to the scientific site phys.org in virtually all popular sunscreen products. A 2015 study showed how they prevent the growth of young coral animals and can also kill adult individuals. In addition, they make corals even more sensitive to higher water temperatures, which makes coral bleaching worse.

Dry well

Merchants who will undoubtedly have sunscreen with these chemicals will be fined a little over 8,000 SEK. Tourists who bring their own sunscreen to Palau will be seized at the customs.

"It's a wise balance to train the tourists without frightening them," said Palaus President Tommy Remengesau about the adoption of the new legislation.

There are certainly creams whose sunscreen comes from zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are not toxic to corals but are not very popular on the other hand.

Palau's other alternative is that, in the future, tourists will protect their skin with clothing.