Hawaii bans sunscreens to protect coral reefs

Hawaii has signed a bill to ban the sale of sunscreens containing chemicals that are toxic to coral in a bid to safeguard its reefs.

Oxybenzone and octinoxate can cause young coral to die, as well as causing bleaching, DNA damage and deformities. The ban, in effect from January 2021, means that sunscreens with the two chemicals will only be available to those with a prescription, and that brands including Banana Boat and Coppertone will no longer be sold.