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[thematic report] Sunscreen Pollution: An increasing threat to Marine life |
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by Yuqing Yang | 25-04-2020 17:21
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Sorry for this late update of thematic report. Today, I want to share with you one of the most commonly used item in summer: sunscreen and discuss how it is severely affecting the marine life in a less-apparent way. We may often spot a plastic bag or bottle in the sea, but these chemicals in the sunscreen covered our body could get released into the ocean by swimmers and tourists without notice. In fact, it is estimated that up to 6,000 tons of sunscreen are washed into coral reefs around the globe each year [1]. As it gets deposited in the water, some regions may form an oily iridescent sheen on the surface. And this is not the only way the chemical enters oceans. Oxybenzone, one of the most common UV-blocking chemical, can be absorbed by human skin and detected in urine within 30 minutes of application [2]. Therefore either washing off the sunscreen or excretion can pollute the water and if water is not treated sophisticatedly, the chemicals could lead to tremendous impact by polluting marine life, especially coral reefs. Fortunately, not every single coral reef is affected by humans’ sunscreen and personal care product. But the ones that are most seriously affected are most important to humans. For instance, the coral reef region for tourism as well as fringing reefs that are essential to prevent coast erosion [2] as well as marine food that local fishermen relied upon. Oxybenzone affects coral reefs in many ways. A recent study shows that it can induce coral bleaching, damages coral DNA as well as induces severe and lethal deformities. And these pathologies will occur at concentrations as low as 62 parts per trillion, but the beaches in Hawaii have shown exorbitant concentrations of 700 parts per trillion [2]. Moreover, other studies have shown the oxybenzone concentrations on nearshore reefs globally reached to a level between 200 parts per trillion and 200 parts per billion, which is sufficient to cause significant environmental impact. In July 2028, Hawaii became the first U.S. state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate [1].
Image source: https://www.parley.tv/updates/2018/12/17/sunscreen-worse-than-climate-change You may start to wonder about sunscreen that contains less harmful or completely safe chemicals to marine life. Merchants start to label products that do not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate “reef-safe” sunscreen to attract customers. Yet the truth about reef-safe sunscreen is that though oxybenzone and octinoxate are the most widely studied, many other ingredients of these sunscreens are still harmful to our environment. However, we still need sunscreens to prevent sunburns and skin cancer. Rather than abandoning sunscreens, we can adopt more reef-friendly approach to reduce the amount of sunscreen we used. For example, we can cover most of our body with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) clothing or we can choose to use mineral sunscreens with “non-nanotized” zinc oxide or titanium dioxide [1], or even use use an oxybenzone-free chemical sunscreen. References: Calderone, Julia. “The Truth About 'Reef Safe' Sunscreen.” Consumer Reports, 7 Feb. 2019, www.consumerreports.org/sunscreens/the-truth-about-reef-safe-sunscreen/. Downs, Craig. “Sunscreen Pollution.” MarineSafe, 3 May 2016, www.marinesafe.org/blog/2016/03/18/sunscreen-pollution/. |
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20 Comments
Greetings yang
I hope you are doing well.
The threat is increasing. It's so disappointing reality
Thank you so much for this report.
Green cheers
Regards
Asmita Gaire
Posted 08-05-2020 15:27
Hi Yuqing!
It was really nice reading this report.
Hope to learn manymore from u!!
Regards,
Manisha
Posted 02-05-2020 20:14
Hello Yuqing,
It's really necessary to seek an alternative for these detrimental sun screens. Thanks for sharing.
Regards
Asmita
Posted 30-04-2020 21:02
Hello Yuqing Yang, this is mentor Taehyun!
Thank you for the report about the sunscreen! It was interesting and insightful! Actually, I personally go to the beach every summer, and I easily can find a rainbow-colored oil layer in the ocean! I didn't know that was a washed-away sunscreen! And I also didn't know that many substances in sunscreen are harmful to the ocean biosystem. But, as you've said, protection for the ultraviolet light is essential. You also provided many solutions for this, and I want to attach it. Spray sunscreen is the worst sunscreen for the environment, so I recommend you to use alternatives!
Anyway, thank you for the interesting report!
Green cheers!
Posted 30-04-2020 17:13
Hi Yuqing Yang, this is a mentor Sang Su Lee.
You chose very interesting topic. I heard that coral reef is suffering from sunblock that people are rubbing on their bodies. I did not know the exact content of sunscreen lotion and thanks to your report, I could know that. As you mentioned in the passage, I also wondered that if we do not rub sunscreen, then we might suffer from skin cancer. However, you resolve my curiosity by mentioning that there are some eco-friendly sunblocks. I hope the state of art technology would replace dangerous sunblock soon.
Posted 30-04-2020 01:39
Hello Yuqing!!
I do hope that you are fine and doing great with your works.
Thank you for your report about Sunscreen Pollution: An increasing threat to Marine life
Green Cheers from Nepal :)
Keep writing great reports.
We are eager to read more reports from you.
Regards,
Kushal Naharki
Posted 30-04-2020 00:21
Thanks for the report! With the summer coming and many of us still stuck in quarantine, maybe it's time to research green brands for a more sustainable beachgoing experience.
Posted 28-04-2020 02:42
Nice report
Posted 27-04-2020 17:07
Greetings
I do hope everything is going well..
Thank you so much for sharing this report!!
It was awesome to go thorough it and know how sunscreen can harm the marine life..
Hope to learn more from you ..
Green cheers
Regards
Jasmine karki
Posted 27-04-2020 13:48
Hello Yuqing,
Thanks for sharing an informative report.
I got to know a new thing today.
Keep writing and shining
Regards
Sudha
Posted 27-04-2020 10:05
Hello,
Its me Dibya Bhatta from Nepal,Currently living in South Korea for my research Internship.
It was really nice reading your report!
keep writing and shining!! :)
If you have any queries related to this internship, You can find me on twitter as :
https://twitter.com/Divine_Tweets
stay safe from coronavirus!
keep working for mother earth to hand it to future generations!
Green cheers!
Posted 27-04-2020 09:46
Hello Yuqing Yang,
I hope you are staying safe.
thanks or your report on Sunscreen Pollution: An increasing threat to Marine life.
its worthy to read with unique facts.
cheers
Posted 26-04-2020 21:38
Thanks for sharing such an informative report ,keep on writing.
Posted 26-04-2020 20:54
Got a piece of new information. Thank you.
Posted 26-04-2020 13:09
Thanks for sharing.
Posted 26-04-2020 12:25
Thanks for beneficial post. I've not known that sunscreen is harmful for marine life.
Posted 26-04-2020 03:34
Interesting topic. I also have heard about sunscreen can pollute marine life.
Posted 26-04-2020 01:14
Hello Yuqing!!
I hope you are fine and doing great.
I really enjoyed going through yours report.
Sunscreen impact is very vulnerable in the marine ecosystem.
Keep writing and shining.
Hope to know more from you.
Warm regards
Meena
GREEN CHEERS
Posted 25-04-2020 21:48
Hello Yuqing!!
I hope you are doing great with your works!!
Its so sad to know how the sunscreen impact on marine ecosystem.
Thanks for letting us know about it!
Hope to know more from you!!
GREEN CHEERS FROM NEPAL!
Regards,
Sonika!
Posted 25-04-2020 21:29
Nice report, keep on writing
Posted 25-04-2020 17:44