While using sunscreen may help protect us from cancer and aging, it appears to mean bad news for our oceans. A new study from Tel Aviv University has found that oxybenzone, a common chemical in sunscreens poses a existential threat to the coral reefs.
Oxybenzone pollutes coral reefs when it washes of people during a swim in the ocean or wastewater discharges as a result of showering. The chemical is highly toxic to juvenile corals and can result in coral bleaching and mass coral reffe mortality. Oxybenzone also damages the DNA of coral, neutering their ability to reproduce and setting off a massive decline in coral populations.
Lastly, oxybenzone is an endocrine disruptor that causes young coral to encase itself in its own skeleton, causing death.
Even 62 parts per trillion of oxybenzone – the equivalent to a drop of water in siz and a half Olympic-sized swimming pools, can cause toxicity.
When it comes to sun safety, opt for natural sunscreens and avoid products with oxybenzone.
