Your sunscreen is blotting out coral reefs, marine life

EVIDENCE IS MOUNTING THAT CHEMICALS IN THESE LOTIONS DAMAGE ENVIRONMENT

It’s a day out on the beach, and you’ve slathered sunscreen all over to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV radiation. And just when it gets too hot, you decide to go for a dip or swim to cool your body down.

Did you know that certain chemicals in your sunscreen can contribute to the damage to coral reefs? Three-quarters of the world’s coral reefs are at risk of dying due to global and local pressures, and sunscreens seem to one of the damaging factors, say experts.

Mounting evidence shows that two chemicals found in the lotions and sprays are damaging corals and even killing fish.

In July this year, Hawaii became the first state in the US to declare a ban on the sale and distribution of sunscreens that contain two chemicals, oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are deemed to have significant harmful impact on the state’s marine environment and residing ecosystems.

The bill goes into effect on January 1, 2021. According to the US National Park Service, more than 6,000 tonnes of sunscreen end up in Hawaii’s waters each year, posing a serious threat to coral reefs.

The Pacific nation of Palau has in its eco-friendly efforts also became the first country in the world to ban reef-killing sunscreens by 2020.

NYUAD findings

In light of the UAE losing over 73 per cent of its coral reefs due to bleaching, according to studies conducted by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) in collaboration with the Emirates Environmental Agency (EEA), Gulf News explores how aware UAE residents are of the harmful use of sunscreens on the environment and what alternative options are available to protect our health.

Dr Varsha Arun, Specialist Dermatologist, Aster Clinic, explained that there are two primary types of sunscreens available in the market today: chemical and physical.

“The former type absorbs the dangerous UV rays while the latter reflects them back into the atmosphere. It is based on this reflective property that physical sunscreens are also referred to as “sun blocks” and provide a broader protection against skin damage.”

Active ingredients in sunscreens come in two forms, mineral and chemical filters, she said. Each uses a different mechanism to protect the skin and maintain stability in sunlight.

The most common sunscreens in the market contain chemical filters. These products typically include a combination of two to six of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.

Chemical hazard

Out of the two types of sunscreens, physical and chemical, it is the ingredients present in chemical sunscreens that have a direct and harmful impact to the environment, especially to marine life.

“The oxybenzone present in chemical sunscreens is harmful to corals, marine life, algae and sea urchins. It not only increases the toxicity of the open waters, but also causes coral bleaching. A process whereby the algae present in coral reefs are expelled, resulting in the coral turning completely white,” said Dr Arun.

She added that although bleaching does not kill the coral, it severely affects its health and mortality.

The use of chemical sunscreens is only a fraction of the problem. Coral Guardian, a French conservation organisation, states that coral reefs are degraded by an accumulation

of stress from human activities. “Overfishing, pollution and coastal development are high on the list of factors in chronic stress,” it said.

Speaking to Gulf News, Marina Antonopoulou, Marine Programme Leader at Emirates Nature-WWF, said that in the UAE, there are a number of known coral reefs and communities such as in Abu Dhabi waters and the East Coast. However, work is still ongoing to understand their extent throughout the waters of the UAE.

“Coral reefs provide some of the most biologically rich, productive and economically valuable ecosystems on Earth,” she said. “It is estimated that around 850 million people live within 100km of a coral reef and directly benefit from the economic, social and cultural services it provides such as fish supplies, storm protection, tourism related-revenue, among other things.”

Also, most marine animals and microorganisms grow and propagate around the reef colonies.

Antonopoulou said that rising ocean temperatures and acidity, due to climate change, have already taken a toll on coral reefs globally. This is also relevant for the region with particularly hot summer months and high water temperatures occurring for long periods.

Protection from the sun

The importance of using sunscreen, Dr Arun said, stems from the fact that over exposure to the sun can lead to multiple skin ailments. Especially in the UAE, where the summer months are extremely hot and the intensity of sunlight is much harsher, the need to protect oneself from being in the sun too long becomes paramount.

“Some of the health conditions that can arise from staying in the sun too long include sunburn and skin cancer (melanoma).”

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is currently the most common form of cancer, and the reason for this is a lack of effort on people’s part to protect their skin adequately.

Alternatives

Dr Varsha Arun | Specialist dermatologist

Marina Antonopoulou | Emirates Nature-WWF

Dr Arun said that currently, steps are being taken to promote organic and environmentally friendly sunscreens, but there should be awareness of the benefits of organic sunscreens over chemical ones.

Organic sunscreens tend to contain a combination of the following: coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, eucalyptus and lavender essential oils, vitamin E oil, and non nano zinc oxide.

She said dermatologists in countries that experience hot summers should encourage the use of organic sunscreens “since they not only protect the environment, but also ensure that the patient does not suffer an adverse reaction to the chemicals present in off the counter sunscreens.”

She pointed out that researchers are working on synthesising the chemical shinorine, which is a naturally occurring UV-absorbing substance produced by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and marine algae, that could be included as an ingredient in make eco-friendly sunscreens.