Written by: Jasmine Biju
A few years ago, Hawaii banned all oxybenzone sunscreens in an attempt to heal damaged coral reefs. Other governing agencies followed suit, and many campaigns and news stories covered the possible harm sunscreen is causing. But does sunscreen actually cause coral reef damage? The answer is tricky, involving research on toxins made by marine plants using oxybenzone, claims of coral bleaching, and flawed data.
Some research shows that a common sunscreen ingredient may be posing a threat to coral reefs: oxybenzone. Oxybenzone is an organic compound used in several chemical sunscreens to protect against solar radiation from the sun. Scientists have discovered that sea anemone and mushroom coral can convert oxybenzone into a toxic chemical that is activated by light. Though there are natural systems that combat the implications of this toxin, harm can still be felt. Past research found that oxybenzone can possibly kill coral and inhibit its ability to repair. More recent studies have supported the possible harmful implications of oxybenzone and UV light exposure. In such circumstances, glass anemone, which was the species examined, added sugars to the chemical itself. The resulting compound was a toxin that is activated by light exposure.
Algae, which has a symbiotic relationship with coral and similar creatures, aid in absorbing the toxicity of the resulting oxybenzone-sugar compound. Although, this proposes a problem: coral reefs that lack the presence of algae are at greater risk of death. In fact, in some cases, coral reefs that are overexposed to light induce the detachment of beneficial algae, which creates a bleaching effect in which the coral turns to a white color. This same effect is seen in the implications of climate change.
According to several studies, anemones without the aid of algae are more greatly susceptible to death compared to anemones with algae safeguarding. Thus, there is a higher vulnerability of unprotected anemones to oxybenzone which raises an important concern regarding protecting aquatic life. Though research has not yet determined the quantity of oxybenzone exposure required to significantly threaten coral reefs, there is substantial evidence proving that there are possible harmful implications.
Additionally, some research on sunscreen and coral reefs has found a relationship between coral bleaching and sunscreen use. However, this does not mean that your sunscreen is causing coral reef bleaching. In fact, much of the evidence is anecdotal and neglects the importance of dosage. The studies looking at oxybenzone and other sunscreen filters and coral reefs used much higher concentrations of these filters than of the small amount of sunscreen in the entire ocean, thus making it seem like there is a much bigger problem at hand. While that does not dismiss the harms of oxybenzone on coral reefs, it does provide context as to how this is not an issue of great concern to most people. Experts say that this should be of concern to people who are using oxybenzone sunscreens while swimming very close to coral reefs and in isolated pools or lagoons.
Although it is important to note these risks, news channels and government agencies have demonized sunscreen and falsely promoted the idea that sunscreen is single-handedly causing coral reef damage, which is simply not the case. In fact, agricultural procedures and climate change are the two biggest threats facing reefs. Coral expert Professor Terry Hughs told ABC News that he “would place sunscreen at number 200” on a list human impacts on coral reefs.”
Ultimately, sunscreen’s impact on coral reefs is marginal in comparison to other direct harms, but if you want to be as safe as possible, try implementing an oxybenzone-free sunscreen into your routine the next time you are in the water.
References:
Garcia, Erin. “How some sunscreens damage coral reefs.” Science News, 5 May 2022, https://www.sciencenews.org/article/sunscreen-damage-coral-reef-oxybenzone. Accessed 25 February 2023.
Gregory, Katherine. “Hawaii bans sunscreens with chemicals that damage coral reefs, but Australia reluctant to follow.” ABC, 4 May 2018, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-04/hawaii-bans-sunscreen-coral-bleaching/9728322. Accessed 25 February 2023.
“Skincare Chemicals and Marine Life.” NOAA's National Ocean Service, 17 August 2022, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html. Accessed 25 February 2023.
“Sunscreen 101: Protecting Your Skin and Coral Reefs.” Coral Reef Alliance, 28 September 2021, https://coral.org/en/blog/sunscreen-101-protecting-your-skin-and-coral-reefs/. Accessed 25 February 2023.
Wong, Michelle. “Is Your Sunscreen Killing Coral Reefs? The Science (with Video).” Lab Muffin Beauty Science, 8 August 2018, https://labmuffin.com/is-your-sunscreen-killing-coral-the-science-with-video/. Accessed 25 February 2023.
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