In 2015, Dr Downs discovered that oxybenzone, which is present in popular sunscreen lotions, has a toxic effect on coral reefs. Even at a concentration of 1 drop in 6 Olympic-size swimming pools. It has been estimated that every year more than 14,000 tons of sunscreens wash off people and go into reef areas only what increases coral mortality.
Pollution in the environment from chemical sunscreens result in a reduced resilience to climate change events, and even contribute to reproductively impaired organisms, including coral, fish, sea mammals and birds that can be locally extinct.
This research led Palau to be the whistleblower to ban certain sunscreens. Hawai, Mexico, Florida will be imposing similar restrictions soon.
Unfortunately, last scientific research showed that long term use of existing UV filters is harmful to the human body as well.
They may accumulate in human tissue and alter hormone levels by disrupting the endocrine system. Did you know that some substances in sun lotion that you trust may increase cancer risk?
Existing UV filters (TiO2, ZnO, OCR, OXY, BM, EHMC), that can be found in most popular UV protection products may cause DNA damage.
Only in 2018 - 1 billion of units of risky composed sunscreens were sold and 2,1 billion are expected for 2029. Each year tons of sunscreens end up on our skin and enter waterways. It means that WE ARE destroying marine ecosystem every single holiday.
This is just the beginning. So how to stop the pollution?
