Sunscreen's Impact: Ocean Pollution And Environmental Harm

Sunscreen is a vital tool in protecting us from the sun's ultraviolet rays, but it is also a source of pollution that can have harmful effects on the marine environment. Sunscreen products contain chemicals that can wash off into the water when we swim or shower, and these chemicals have been found to negatively impact aquatic ecosystems, including corals, fish, and other marine life. With the increasing popularity of sunscreen and coastal tourism, it is important to understand the potential risks that sunscreen pollution poses to the health of our oceans and the life they sustain.

Sunscreen chemicals are harmful to coral reefs

Coral reefs are incredibly valuable ecosystems, providing billions of dollars in economic and environmental services such as food, coastal protection, and tourism. However, they face serious threats from climate change, unsustainable fishing, land-based pollution, and coastal development. It has also been discovered that some chemicals found in sunscreens and other personal health products threaten the health of coral reefs.

When swimmers enter the ocean, rivers, or lakes, the sunscreen they have applied to their skin washes off into the water. It is estimated that about 14,000 tons of sunscreen enter waterways globally every year, with 25,000 tons of sunscreen products discharged into the aquatic environment annually, according to another source. In shallow areas popular with swimmers, significant amounts of sunscreen can accumulate in the water.

Sunscreen chemicals such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, benzophenone-1, benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-Benzylidene camphor, nano-Titanium dioxide, nano-Zinc oxide, and Octocrylene have been found to harm marine life. These chemicals can induce coral bleaching, damage coral DNA, deform young corals, and even kill them. A 2016 study found that oxybenzone caused deformities in coral larvae and baby corals, damaged coral DNA, and affected their skeletal growth. A 2022 study of anemones, which are close relatives of corals, found that when exposed to oxybenzone in the presence of sunlight, they attempted to rid themselves of the chemical by slightly altering its chemical makeup.

To protect coral reefs and marine life, it is recommended to use sunscreens without harmful chemicals, seek shade between 10 am and 2 pm, and wear Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) sunwear. It is also important to support legislation that bans the sale and use of toxic sunscreens containing harmful chemicals. Additionally, it is advised to use micro-sized (or non-nano) mineral sunscreens to avoid nanoparticles, as these smaller particles can be toxic in high concentrations.

Sunscreen ingredients are toxic to marine life

Sunscreen products are a significant source of pollution, with around 25,000 tonnes of sunscreen entering aquatic environments each year. These products contain ingredients that can be toxic to marine life, including coral reefs, fish, mussels, sea urchins, and dolphins.

One of the main ingredients to avoid in sunscreen is oxybenzone. Oxybenzone is toxic to coral reefs, causing bleaching, DNA damage, deformities, and even death. It is also harmful to fish, reducing fertility and reproduction and causing female characteristics to develop in male fish. Oxybenzone is a common ingredient in chemical sunscreens, and its presence in waterways is a growing concern. Hawaii and several island nations have banned oxybenzone-containing sunscreens, recognizing the threat they pose to marine ecosystems.

Another group of chemicals to avoid is benzophenones, which include benzophenone-1 and benzophenone-8. These chemicals have been found to accumulate in the tissues of marine organisms and can induce defects in young mussels and sea urchins. They can also impair the growth and photosynthesis of green algae.

Other harmful ingredients in sunscreens include octinoxate, octocrylene, OD-PABA, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-benzylidene camphor, nano-titanium dioxide, and nano-zinc oxide. These chemicals can have toxic effects on a wide range of marine organisms, including coral, fish, and dolphins.

To protect marine life, it is essential to choose sunscreens that do not contain these harmful ingredients. Mineral-based sunscreens that use non-nano zinc or non-nano titanium are recommended as they do not leech into the water and are generally considered reef-safe. Additionally, physical UVA and UVB filters, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are preferred over chemical filters as they form a physical block on the skin instead of absorbing and releasing heat.

Sunscreen affects the growth of green algae

Sunscreen is a key tool in protecting the skin from UV radiation. However, the chemicals in sunscreen can wash off and enter waterways, causing harm to the environment. Sunscreen has been found to negatively impact the growth of freshwater plants and algae, with the potential to cause a chain reaction of extinctions and decreased production of human benefits.

A study by Benedictine College examined the impact of sunscreen on the Minnesota-native freshwater plant Myriophyllum heterophyllum, a water milfoil. The study found that oxybenzone, a chemical found in sunscreen, can adhere to the leaves of the plant and interfere with CO2 binding, hindering its growth.

Another study by Washington Sea Grant found that synthetic musks and preservatives in sunscreens, such as Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), can bioaccumulate to toxic levels in marine organisms. These chemicals act as hormone disruptors and can cause harm to fish and other marine life.

The Surfrider Foundation Europe has also raised concerns about the impact of sunscreen on the ocean and human health. They estimate that 25,000 tonnes of sunscreen products are discharged into the aquatic environment worldwide each year, impacting many aquatic species.

While the focus has primarily been on the effects of sunscreen on marine ecosystems, research suggests that sunscreen use may also negatively impact freshwater systems. The chemicals in sunscreen can impair the growth and photosynthesis of green algae, which are essential for maintaining healthy freshwater ecosystems.

Overall, the evidence suggests that sunscreen can indeed pollute water and affect the growth of green algae. More comprehensive ecological risk assessments of the chemicals in sunscreen are needed to fully understand their impact on the environment and human health.

Microplastics in sunscreen pollute water

Sunscreen products are known to have a detrimental impact on aquatic ecosystems, including coral reefs. Every year, 25,000 tonnes of sunscreen are discharged into the world's aquatic environments, posing a significant threat to marine life and the wider environment.

Microplastics in sunscreen are a major contributor to this pollution. These tiny plastic particles, measuring less than 5mm in length, are often added to sunscreen formulas by manufacturers for practical reasons, such as binding ingredients together and adding waterproof properties. However, these microplastics are then washed into our waterways when we bathe, shower, or swim in the sea. The long-term effects of microplastics in the water are currently unknown, but their presence in our drinking water and the food chain is a cause for concern.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that sunscreen is not effectively regulated or addressed in legislation. While some countries have implemented a microbead ban, it often only applies to "rinse-off" products like shampoos and excludes "leave-on" products such as sunscreens. This loophole allows sunscreen manufacturers to continue using microplastics in their products, contributing to the pollution of our waterways.

To address this issue, consumers can take an active role by demanding that sunscreen brands remove microplastics from their products. Additionally, consumers can use resources like the Beat the Microbead app to scan products for microplastics and make more sustainable choices. By choosing microplastic-free alternatives, consumers can reduce their impact on the environment and support brands that prioritize ecological responsibility.

It is important to note that the impact of sunscreen on water quality is not limited to microplastics. Chemicals found in sunscreen, such as oxybenzone and benzophenone, have been shown to harm aquatic life, including corals, mussels, sea urchins, and fish. These chemicals can induce bleaching and DNA damage in corals, impair growth and photosynthesis in green algae, and affect the immune and reproductive systems of other marine organisms. Therefore, it is crucial to consider both the microplastics and the chemical ingredients in sunscreen when assessing its impact on water pollution.

Water treatment plants don't filter out sunscreen chemicals

Sunscreen products have been found to have a detrimental impact on the marine environment. Every year, 25,000 tonnes of sunscreen are discharged into the aquatic environment worldwide. Sunscreen chemicals can wash off into waterways when we swim or shower, and they can also enter the water when we wash them down the drain at home. Water treatment plants do not filter out the chemicals or microplastics found in personal care products, meaning that these pollutants end up in our waterways.

Sunscreens are known to have an impact on ecosystems, including corals. Coral reefs are one of the most valuable ecosystems on Earth, providing billions of dollars in economic and environmental services such as food, coastal protection, and tourism. However, scientists have discovered that some sunscreen chemicals threaten the health of coral reefs. For example, oxybenzone, a common chemical UV filter, has been found to act as an endocrine disruptor and cause mortality in corals even at low concentrations. Other chemicals found in sunscreens, such as benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, and nano-titanium dioxide, have also been found to harm marine life, including mussels, sea urchins, fish, and dolphins.

The impact of sunscreen chemicals on coral reefs and other aquatic species is an active area of research. While mineral sunscreens, which use physical filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are considered a better option than chemical sunscreens, more comprehensive ecological risk assessments are needed to fully understand the effects of these products on the environment.

The under-regulation of skincare products further exacerbates the issue of sunscreen pollution in water. Unlike the food we eat, the products we use on our skin are highly under-regulated. While the European Union has banned over 1,000 toxic compounds from cosmetics, the United States Food and Drug Administration has only banned eleven. This lack of regulation means that potentially toxic chemicals from sunscreens and other personal care products can end up in our waterways, posing serious threats to the marine environment and the organisms that depend on healthy waters.

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