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Hawaii Governor David Ige signed a law Tuesday banning the sale of chemicals containing two chemicals that could harm coral reefs.
Hawaii is the first US state to ban oxybenzone and octinoxate
. "This is just one small step towards protecting and restoring the resilience of Hawaii's reefs," Ige said at a signing ceremony of the bill, which will take effect in 2021.
Ige said that the state should also protect corals, including the fight against invasive species, pollution caused by land runoff and climate change.
The sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate will only be available to people on prescription from a physician. Others will have to buy sunscreens without these chemicals or bring their own sunscreen with them to Hawaii.
Scientists have found that both substances can be toxic to coral reefs, which are a vital part of the ocean 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 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 industry and lifestyle to the next generation.
He said it was necessary to act quickly to save what was left of the coral world, he said.
"We know the tide is against us, we have little time," Lee said.
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