Sunscreen Helps Humans But Harms Coral

Sunscreen helps humans, but harms coral reefs. Hawaii thinks the solution to help coral reefs is to ban sunscreen.

State law makers passed the bill today banning sunscreens that contain harmful chemicals that create a chemical imbalance for coral reefs. The ban starts in 2021 so that retails and merchandisers can start selling more sunscreens without harmful chemicals.

The sunscreens containing chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, will prohibit sales. There is a loophole for prescription sunscreen that contains these chemicals, that will not be included in the ban.

A study from 2015 shows that oxybenzone causes coral bleaching and is toxic to developing coral, with 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the ocean worldwide.

People of Hawaii are concerned since it has the highest daily UV index warnings and very high rates of melanoma.

The ultimate decision to pass this bill will help to spread awareness for the damage sunscreen can cause for coral reefs and marine ecosystems.