Thai beach ban raises concern about sunscreen safety
Sunblock is being blamed for environmental and physiological damage
Sunscreen use in Southeast Asia is nowhere near as widespread as it is in other parts of the world , which partly accounts for why skin cancer rates in countries like Malaysia and Singapore have been on a consistent rise over recent decades .
In Thailand , where its beaches register some of the world ’ s highest levels of ultraviolet radiation , one of the main contributing factors for melanoma , a recent ban on some types of sunscreen may have a further impact on rising rates .
The ban stems from concerns over the harmful effects of sun protection chemicals on the environment , and in August sunscreens containing chemical substances that are suspected of damaging coral reefs were banned from the country ’ s marine national parks .
The decision of the Department of National Parks , Wildlife and Plant Conservation follows a similar move by Hawaii that took effect earlier this year .
The banned sunscreens are those containing oxybenzone , octinoxate , 4-methylbenzylidene camphor , which are usually used as UV filters , and butylparaben , used as a preservative or as a fragrance . These substances are suspected of being endocrine disruptors and affecting the development of corals , even in small quantities .
Thai authorities point to scientific data showing that these chemicals could “ deteriorate coral reefs , destroy coral larvae , obstruct their reproductive system and cause coral reef bleaching .”
According to several research studies , up to 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the world ’ s oceans every year , and oxybenzone , in particular , can harm coral growth .
Major cosmetics companies dispute the evidence behind the marine bans . Ahead of Hawaii barring the use of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate , L ’ Oreal published its own research findings conducted jointly with the Monaco Scientific Centre that contradicted the reasons for the ban .
Another cosmetics manufacturer , Japan ’ s Shiseido , said the research on the effect of sunscreens on coral reefs is inconclusive .
In addition to environmental concerns , there has also been much debate about the health safety of chemicals used in the formulation of sunblocks when they ’ re absorbed into the human bloodstream .
Last year , an American study warned that some of the active ingredients used in sunscreen — some of which are implicated in the Thai and Hawaii bans — may be leaching into the skin beyond recommended safety thresholds and called on health regulators to review their safety .
Skeptics , however , say that a number of the ingredients have been in common use for many years with no safety concerns .
“ The study showed that higher levels of some sunscreen chemicals are absorbed through the skin than had been previously realised , but this doesn ’ t necessarily mean that they ’ re harmful . There just needs to be more research , which will take time , but it will get to the bottom of the matter ,” Dr R . Rajalingam , a dermatologist in Kuala Lumpur , told Global Health Asia- Pacific .
“ It ’ s still very important that people continue to use sun protection to prevent skin cancer because the benefits outweigh the perceived risk , which anyway needs to be tested further through research and assessment by regulatory bodies .”
Up to 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the world ’ s oceans every year , and oxybenzone , in particular , can harm coral growth
16 OCTOBER 2021 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com