Bronte Wells
Sunscreen pollution is a growing environmental concern, particularly in marine ecosystems. It originates from various sources, including swimmers entering the ocean, rivers, and lakes, as well as wastewater runoff and sewage systems. The use of sunscreen products has increased due to the development of new recreational activities such as water sports, and the rise in tourism, with an estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen entering global waterways annually. Sunscreen contains molecules that absorb or repel ultraviolet (UV) rays, protecting against skin cancer-causing UVA rays and sunburn-causing UVB rays. However, these UV filters and chemicals are now being detected in marine ecosystems, raising concerns about their impact on aquatic life and ecosystems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Direct sources | Recreational water activities such as swimming, where sunscreen products applied to the skin are shed as a result of sweating and submersion |
| Non-point sources | Sewage discharges, municipal wastewater treated effluents, cesspits and septic discharges |
| Impact | Coral reefs are particularly susceptible to the active ingredients in commercial sunscreens, with preliminary research indicating the chemicals can stress corals and in high doses cause bleaching |
| Impact on other parts of the ecosystem | Sunscreen pollution can impair the growth of green algae, an essential part of the food web. The effects can be seen all the way up the food chain, even affecting at-risk species like the Hawaiian green sea turtle |
| Indirect transfer | Showering, urinating and washing clothes are actions that allow sunscreen residue to end up in waters, which is later present in wastewater treatment plants |
| Pollutants | Both organic and inorganic filters have been detected in marine ecosystems through water sampling from various places around the globe |
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What You'll Learn
Swimming and other recreational water activities
The impact of sunscreen pollution on marine life is an active area of research. Some studies have found that certain chemicals found in sunscreens, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, and avobenzone, can be harmful to marine life. For example, these chemicals have been found to induce coral bleaching, impair the growth of green algae, decrease fertility in fish, and cause immune and reproductive system damage in sea urchins. However, other studies have suggested that the levels of sunscreen chemicals found in the environment may not be high enough to cause significant harm.
In addition to swimming, other recreational water activities that can contribute to sunscreen pollution include water sports such as snorkelling, scuba diving, and boating. The use of beach showers, which are often not connected to municipal wastewater treatment systems, can also lead to sunscreen contamination in marine environments.
The increase in tourist influx in coastal areas has been correlated with higher concentrations of UV agents in the waters of these regions. This is due not only to the use of sunscreens but also to the presence of UV filters in other cosmetic products such as moisturisers, shampoos, and makeup. The indirect transfer of these UV filters to marine ecosystems occurs through wastewater systems, as the pollutants are not always efficiently removed during the treatment process.
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Wastewater systems
Sunscreen residue can also be transferred to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) through activities such as showering, urinating, and washing clothes. However, the treatment processes often fail to effectively remove the pollutants, resulting in effluents containing residual UV agents being discharged into marine ecosystems and even tap water. This issue is particularly prevalent in regions without access to WWTPs, such as many island states, where UV filters and other cosmetic products are directly released into the marine environment through the sewage system.
Beach showers, commonly found in tourist-beach locations, can also contribute to sunscreen pollution. A study in Hanauma Bay, Hawaii, revealed that the sands around the beach showers were highly contaminated with petrochemical sunscreen residues. The showers were not connected to a municipal wastewater treatment system but instead discharged directly into the shallow ground or created runoff rivulets flowing towards the shoreline. This runoff carries sunscreen residues, soaps, and shampoos, all of which can contain petrochemical sunscreen filters like oxybenzone and octocrylene, directly into the marine environment.
Additionally, wastewater treatment effluents are sometimes used in irrigated agriculture and as soil/fertilizer amendments. This practice has been identified as a point source of pollution, as the petrochemical UV-filters present in the wastewater can contaminate crops and eventually find their way into groundwater, freshwater, and marine receiving waters.
The presence of sunscreen pollutants in wastewater systems has significant ecological implications. These pollutants can bioaccumulate in aquatic animals and negatively impact their survival, development, and reproduction. Furthermore, the discharge of effluents containing residual UV agents into marine ecosystems can stress corals and contribute to coral bleaching, as observed in laboratory studies.
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Sewage systems
Sunscreen pollution in sewage systems is a pressing issue that has garnered attention in recent years. The problem arises from the presence of sunscreen residues in wastewater, which can have detrimental effects on the environment, particularly fragile ecosystems such as coral reefs.
Additionally, wastewater from homes, hotels, and other establishments can contain sunscreen residues from washing clothes or linens that have been in contact with sunscreen-covered skin. This wastewater then enters the sewage system, contributing to the accumulation of sunscreen pollutants.
The issue with sunscreen pollution in sewage systems is that the treatment processes often fail to effectively remove all the sunscreen residues and their harmful by-products. This leads to the release of effluents containing residual UV agents and other cosmetic product chemicals into marine ecosystems. The presence of these pollutants in the water can have detrimental effects on aquatic life, including fish and other marine organisms.
Furthermore, the indirect transfer of UV filters and other sunscreen chemicals to ecosystems through sewage systems is a global issue. Many island states and regions lack wastewater treatment plants, resulting in the direct discharge of UV filters and cosmetic products into the marine environment through sewage systems. This contributes to the widespread contamination of marine ecosystems and the potential harm to delicate coral reefs and other aquatic life.
To mitigate sunscreen pollution in sewage systems, it is essential to advocate for the use of biodegradable sunscreen products. According to the OECD 301 test guidelines, a substance can be labeled as "readily biodegradable" if it fully degrades within 10 days using activated sludge from a sewage treatment plant. Educating the public about alternative sun protection methods and the importance of choosing environmentally friendly sunscreen products can also help reduce the impact of sunscreen pollution on sewage systems and the environment.
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Beach showers
The impact of sunscreen pollution on coral reefs has been a particular area of concern for scientists. Studies have shown that some of the chemicals found in sunscreens, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, and avobenzone, can cause coral bleaching and even coral death. Coral reefs are already under stress from climate change, overfishing, and other forms of pollution, and the addition of sunscreen pollution further endangers these valuable ecosystems.
To address the issue of sunscreen pollution from beach showers, several measures can be implemented. Firstly, beachgoers can be encouraged to use reef-friendly sunscreens that do not contain harmful chemicals. Mineral-based sunscreens that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as physical UV blockers are considered safer alternatives. Secondly, beach showers can be equipped with filters or treatment systems to remove sunscreen residues before the water is discharged into the environment. Finally, local authorities can implement regulations and guidelines to reduce the use of harmful sunscreen chemicals in areas with sensitive marine ecosystems.
By implementing these measures and raising awareness about the impact of sunscreen pollution, we can work towards mitigating the environmental impact of beach showers and protecting our valuable marine ecosystems.
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Other cosmetic products
Sunscreen use has increased in recent years, as sunscreen products minimize the damaging effects of solar radiation. However, the active ingredients called ultraviolet (UV) filters or UV agents, responsible for defending skin tissue against harmful UV rays, are incorporated into other cosmetic products, which can also contribute to marine pollution. Moisturizers, shampoos, makeup products, hairspray, nail polish, and other personal health products may contain UV filters. The transfer of these UV filters to ecosystems is attributed to wastewater systems. Showering, urinating, and washing clothes are actions that allow sunscreen residue and other cosmetic products to end up in waters, which are later present in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). During this process, the pollutants are not efficiently removed, so effluents with residual UV agents are transferred to marine ecosystems and even tap water.
The increase in tourist influx in coastal areas and the concentration of UV agents in the waters of these areas are correlated. This correlation is due to the indirect transfer of UV filters from sunscreen and other cosmetic products to the marine environment. In regions without WWTPs, such as many island states, UV filters and other cosmetic products are directly transferred to the marine environment through the sewage system. The formation of harmful by-products may occur as UV agents are not stable in water.
The specific chemical UV filters found in chemical sunscreens and other cosmetic products can harm aquatic life, including corals. Organic UV filters have been found to bioaccumulate in various aquatic animals, such as corals, algae, arthropods, mollusks, echinoderms, and marine vertebrates. These organic UV filters have high values of the octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow), which indicates their relationship between fat and water solubility. If a substance has a Kow value greater than 1, it is easily soluble in fatty solvents, while a Kow value less than 1 indicates water solubility. The bioaccumulation of organic UV filters has been observed in Swiss cormorants and bird eggs in Spain, illustrating the severity of biomagnification in ecosystem pollution analysis.
Some of the chemicals found in sunscreen and other cosmetic products threaten the health of coral reefs, which are one of the most valuable ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs provide billions of dollars in economic and environmental services, such as food, coastal protection, and tourism. However, the specific impacts of these chemicals on reef ecosystems are still being actively researched. While some writers claim that sunscreen may cause skin cancer due to a purported harmful cocktail of toxic ingredients, there is no evidence to support these assertions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed the safety of sunscreen ingredients, and in 2021, they recognized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as "generally recognized as safe and effective."
While sunscreen products are designed to protect the skin from the sun's damaging rays, some of the ingredients may have unintended consequences for the environment. The impact of sunscreen and other cosmetic products on marine life and ecosystems is an ongoing area of research, and it is important to consider the potential ecological risks associated with their use.
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Frequently asked questions
The most obvious direct source of sunscreen pollution is recreational water activities such as swimming, where sunscreen products applied to the skin are shed as a result of sweating and submersion.
Showering, urinating, and washing clothes are actions that allow sunscreen residue to end up in waters, which is later present in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). During this process, the pollutants are not efficiently removed, so effluents with residual UV agents are transferred to marine ecosystems and even to tap water.
Sunscreen pollution can have major impacts on corals, fish, mammals—the whole ecosystem. Not only can it bleach or deform corals, but it can also impair the growth of green algae, an essential part of the food web. The effects can be seen all the way up the food chain, even affecting at-risk species like the Hawaiian green sea turtle.
