The Environmental Impact of Sunscreen

         Numerous manufacturers and businesses have introduced sunscreen products to the market over the years. These include mineral sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. Several sunscreen chemicals found in these products help shield the skin from UVA and UVB light damage. UV-absorbing component kinds are used by sunscreen producers to lessen the skin's vulnerability to UV radiation. 

         Regular application of sunscreen has been demonstrated to slow skin photoaging and lower the risk of sunburn and skin cancer. Sunscreens can enter bodies of water through wastewater from showering or bathing, as well as washing off into bodies of water where people are swimming or wading. As a result, water, sediment, and animal tissues in aquatic habitats have been found to contain ultraviolet (UV) filters, the active chemicals in sunscreens that lessen the quantity of UV radiation on skin. 

         Oxybenzone has been demonstrated to cause a range of harmful effects in fish and coral, from reef bleaching to death. Coral reefs and marine life are impacted by sunscreen pollution, which has a major impact on the natural order. Chemicals enter these plants through this indirect method and wind up in the ocean after customers wash the products off at home. An estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen are believed to wash into the oceans annually, 82,000 chemicals from personal care products may be polluting the seas, and approximately 80% of the Caribbean's corals have disappeared in the past 50 years as a result of pollution, coastal development, and warming waters.

Let's examine the primary ways that this chemical impacts the ecosystems around us
         1. Coral Bleaching 
Fish and other aquatic creatures can find homes in the intricate ecosystems that make up corals. They give millions of people access to food, new medications, and employment prospects. The impact of sunscreens on coral reefs was investigated in a 2008 study. The need for reef-safe products and components stems from researchers' confirmation that some compounds cause coral bleaching. When oxybenzone comes into touch with coral reef areas, it affects the DNA of the coral. Each planula's skeletal endocrine system is disturbed by this chemical, which ultimately results in the death of these coral progeny. 
The chemicals have an impact on the adult corals in addition to their progeny. The water surrounding coral reefs is poisonous due to oxybenzone. The symbiotic partners that give corals their vibrant colors, algae, are stressed as a result. Consequently, viral infections develop in the algae, which impacts the coral-algal connection. Corals turn white as they push back the algae affecting not only their appearance but also their functioning leading to an untimely and early death. 
2. Effect on Marine Life 
Fish larvae and embryos are impacted by these substances. The marine populations that live in these locations begin to diminish when bleaching kills the reefs. Over time, this disturbs ecosystems and has an impact on the environment's natural order. Additionally, the sunscreen industry's use of plastic packaging has to be highlighted. Numerous products are packaged in environmentally unfriendly plastic tubes. Concerns about pollution are raised when customers frequently buy goods packaged in plastic. Plastic has significant consequences from the moment it is produced. These materials frequently wind up in landfills or waterways at the end of their life cycles, where they are consumed by innocent aquatic life, causing asphyxia or starvation due to a deceptive feeling of fullness. 
According to the Centers for Disease Control's fourth national report on human exposure to environmental chemicals, about 97% of those tested had oxybenzone in their urine. Independent scientists have also found varying amounts of oxybenzone in fish and waterways across the globe. Additionally, oxybenzone and chlorine can combine to produce dangerous byproducts that can accumulate in wastewater treatment facilities and swimming pools.
A bill prohibiting the sale of sunscreens containing the dangerous chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate was passed by Hawaii lawmakers on May 1, 2018. The first state to enact such a law was Hawaii, and it became operative on January 1, 2021. The island nation of Palau, with one of the world's largest marine reserves, declared on November 1, 2018, that it would also outlaw the use or sale of sunscreens that include chemicals that damage coral reefs. 

How Can You Help?
Well, protecting yourself from the sun is crucial. However, it's also important to look for items that don't contain nanoparticles because research indicates that they can harm algae. Additionally, look for skin care and cosmetic products free of petroleum and mineral oil. These are poisonous to aquatic life and require years to decompose. Avoiding oxybenzone and octinoxate components is clearly clear at this point. important to discuss how sunscreen affects the ecosystem. This puts the onus on consumers to choose products that do not harm the environment or coral reefs while making purchases. It also acts as an appeal for producers to choose greener alternatives. Waste from packaging is another major issue. Select goods that are packaged using biodegradable and recyclable materials. 

Bibliography 
Berne B, Ros AM. 7 years experience of photopatch testing with sunscreen allergens in Sweden. Contact Dermatitis. 1998 Feb;38(2):61-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1998.tb05653.x. PMID: 9506215.

DiNardo JC, Downs CA. Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone/benzophenone-3. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018 Feb;17(1):15-19. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12449. Epub 2017 Oct 31. PMID: 29086472.

Okafor, J. (2024, December 1). Environmental impact of sunscreen. The Environmental Impact of Sunscreen. https://www.trvst.world/environment/environmental-impact-of-sunscreen/ 

         Two dermatological clinics in Sweden have incorporated seven sunscreen allergens in their routine photo patch practice since 1990. 42 allergic responses were detected in 28 (7.9%) of the 355 consecutive patients with suspected photosensitivity who underwent testing. Photocontact accounted for 80% of the reactions. Benzophenone-3 (Eusolex 4360) was the most prevalent allergen, causing 15 photocontact and 1 contact allergy responses.

          Zachos, E., & Rosen, E. (2024, April 5). Sunscreen, clothing, and other coral reef-safe ways to protect your skin. What sunscreens are best for you—and the planet? https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/sunscreen-destroying-coral-reefs-alternatives-travel-spd