Hawaii and Palau Ban Toxic Sunscreens In The Ocean

This is another good environmental trend… Banning sunscreen which contain oxybenzone or octinoxate, another chemical that scientists say is damaging to coral. Why I love it…. During the summer months, I pick up about 10 full plastic bottles-tubes of sunscreen a month. None of it is organic or biodegradable. Sunscreen is expensive too.. another perfect example of our throwaway and apathetic society.

Special Kudos to both Hawaii and Palau who has the courage to fight the billion dollar sunscreen industry and ban harmful sunscreens to protect their coral reefs.

2018 May: Hawaii becomes the first state to ban the sale of non sustainable sunscreen. The ban is scheduled to go into effect in January 2021.

2018 November: Pala becomes first Nation to ban non-sustainable Sunscreen. Under this ban taking effect in 2020, “reef toxic” sunscreen — defined as containing one of 10 prohibited chemicals, a list that could grow later — can be confiscated from tourists when they enter the country, and retailers who sell it can be fined up to $1,000. a 2017 report that found sunscreen products to be “widespread” in Jellyfish Lake, one of the country’s Unesco World Heritage sites.

Mexico has banned non-biodegradable sunscreen in some parts on the Mayan Riveria.  Xel-Há, (tourist development) In Akumal (turtle breeding) asks that you not wear sunscreen when swimming with turtles Other tourist destinations of Xcaret, Garrafon Park, Chankanaab Park, and the protected marine park in Cozumel, sustainable sunscreen is mandatory.

I Just Got To Eco You

• 14,000 tons of sunscreen are deposited in the world’s oceans yearly.
• 2013: the global sun care market generated 5.6 billion U.S. dollars from its sun protection products segment. 
• 2011 to 2016, the total number of sunscreen units sold in the United States increased from 153,870,186 to 161,882,779
• Global sunscreen ingredients market is projected to reach 40,000 Tons by 2020 with an overall increase in demand of 10,000 Tons by 2020.
• Sunscreen can hinder development of young coral
• Sunscreen can hinder the reproduction of fish
• Banned are sunscreen brands contain oxybenzone or octinoxate
• Also suspect are mineral-based sunscreens containing zinc oxide, which are safer, but still can be damaging.
• 2015: Haereticus Environmental Laboratory surveyed Trunk Bay beach on St. John, estimated over 6,000 pounds of sunscreen was deposited on the reef annually. Visitors average 2,000 to 5,000 swimmers daily.
• 2015 Haereticus Environmental Laboratory found 412 pounds of sunscreen was deposited daily on the reef at Hanauma Bay in Oahu. Visitors are 2600 swimmers a day.

Bottom line, the safest way to prevent sunburn are stay out of the sun during peak hours wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses. Save the ocean and your skin and money at the same time.

Resources 

• Global Sunscreen Market 
• Trends in USA Sunscreens 
• Center of Disease Control 
• National Geographic: Sunscreen Safe Alternatives 
• National Geographic: Swimmer’s Sunscreen Killing Off Corals
• Discover Magazine: The Biology of Sunscreens
• E-Turbo News: Tourist Sunscreen Killing Off Coral Reefs
• University of California: Sunscreens Feminizing Fish
• Indian Ocean Sea Turtles: Sunscreen May Be Killing Corals