ENVIRONMENT
Chemicals in some sunscreens can create environmental stress on sensitive environments
The sun screen dilemma
Summer is here and sun protection is crucial for all sea users , but our choice of sun screen can affect the environments we cherish . Bernadette Butfield explains
Even while exploring the waters of Costa Del Britain , it ’ s important for us all to use sun protection . Despite this , we have all forgotten to bring a hat or apply sun lotion at one point or another , and have been left applying after-sun to burnt faces after a weekend of scuba diving and snorkelling .
Protecting our skin from harmful sun exposure is important , but scientists have increasingly warned us that certain chemicals in sunscreen formulas may be of concern , particularly to coral reef habitats . As scuba divers and snorkellers when we enter the water wearing certain sunscreen formulas , we can introduce harmful chemicals directly into the environment . In fact , between 4,000 and 6,000 tonnes of sunscreen are estimated to be released into tropical coral reef areas annually , posing a significant threat to corals .
We know that the impacts of climate change are threatening the health of marine ecosystems around the world .
Coral reefs in particular , are vulnerable to ocean acidification and rising seawater temperatures , driven by climate change . Mass coral bleaching events are becoming more frequent , with the southern hemisphere receiving its third mass bleaching event in five years in 2020 . Studies now suggest that certain chemicals in sunscreen formulas may be adding to the list of current stressors to coral reefs . Chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate are popular UV filter ingredients
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