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Hawaii Governor David Ige signs a law banning the sale of solar products containing two chemicals believed to harm coral reefs on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, in Honolulu. The law makes Hawaii the first state in the US to ban oxybenzone and octinoxate. The ban takes effect in 2021. (Audrey McAvoy / Associated Press)
HONOLULU – The governor of Hawaii, David Ige, on Tuesday signed a law banning the sale of sunscreens containing two chemicals believed to harm coral reefs.
The US State Bans Oxybenzone and Octinoxate
"This is just one small step towards protecting and restoring the resilience of the reefs. Hawaii, "said Mr. Ige at a signing ceremony of the bill in 2021. [19659008Igeaindicatesthatthestatealsowantstocontinueothereffortstoprotecttheorailycomprislatestheirvessingspeciesbytheimmunitionconflictandclimaticchange
The oxybenzone and the london. octinoxate will only be available on prescription. 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, a vital part of the oceanic ecosystem.
Senator Roz Baker, who represents the south and west of Maui, said the bill was of enormous importance because coral is such a fundamental part of a larger ecosystem for the health of the planet
. t 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 will discourage people from buying sunscreen in brick and mortar stores. Lee, who represents the suburbs of Kailua and Waimanalo in Honolulu, said the law is a necessary step to help Hawaii transmit its reefs, ocean, tourism and lifestyle to the next generation. [19659015Theleadersneedtoactswiftlytokeepthetempestoftherain
"We know the tide is against us, we have little time," Lee said.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This document may not be published, distributed, rewritten or redistributed.
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