Post by SeaRat on May 13, 2019 18:45:48 GMT -8
I got an education while in Maui last week, both on the Pacific Whale Foundation and by the Maui Aquarium. I also saw an interesting plackard at Haliakalā National Park. Here's the "skinny" on sunscreen, which I did not realize. The components of sunscreen which protect our skin from the suns rays can be either reflective or absorbative. In most current sunscreens, they use components that absorb the sun's rays, and render them harmless to our skin. However, in order to do this, they also heat up our skin. "...Common sunscreen chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate have been found to increase coral bleaching..." This quote comes from a website that discusses sunscreens and the problems of coral blanching, and also the reasons why Hawaii is banning these chemicals from sunscreens starting in 2021. I found out from the Maui Aquarium that sunscreens which claim to be "coral safe" may not be, and that you need to look at the ingredients to make sure, as there are no rules or regulations saying that they cannot use "coral safe" labeling. So, if you're headed for coral, and need to use sunscreen, here's the ingredients you don't want in it:
ou can also use as a guide a checklist of known environmental pollutants from nonprofit scientific outfit Haereticus Environmental Laboratory — and make sure your sunscreen and cosmetics don’t list them as ingredients:
Any form of microplastic sphere or beads.
Any nanoparticles like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
4-methylbenzylidene camphor
Octocrylene
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
Methylparaben
Ethylparaben
Propylparaben
Butylparaben
Benzylparaben
Triclosan
www.vox.com/2018/7/2/17525496/hawaii-banning-sunscreen
Any form of microplastic sphere or beads.
Any nanoparticles like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
4-methylbenzylidene camphor
Octocrylene
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
Methylparaben
Ethylparaben
Propylparaben
Butylparaben
Benzylparaben
Triclosan
www.vox.com/2018/7/2/17525496/hawaii-banning-sunscreen
But what is the mechanism for sunscreens to promote coral blanching? According to one of the speakers at the Maui Ocean Center and Hawaii Aquarium, and a sign I read on Haliakalā, the sunscreen is absorbed by the coral's tissues, and those components increase the temperature of the coral. The corals won't normally blanch until the water temperature reaches the 80 degrees F level for several days. But with sunscreen, due to the increased tissue temperature due to sunscreen absorption of the light, the corals will blanch at about ten degrees F lower, in the 70s F. When the temperature gets too high, the algea produces toxic materials within the coral, and the coral will get rid of the algea. They can live without the algea for a time, but not well, and if prolonged the coral will die as they need the symbiotic relationship of the algea and its photosynthesis to live. They can re-absorb the algea if it's a short-duration temperature situation, but will die if it is prolonged.
In addition, apparently the Oxybenzone and Octinoxate components can also cause DNA changes in the coral. These DNA changes can also endanger the corals.
The Ocean Foundation advises that people swimming/snorkeling/diving/using the ocean take these precautions:
Even if you’re not lucky enough to be at a Hawaiian beach this summer, we can all still make a difference. By putting our awareness into action, we can make different choices that lessen our impact on the ocean.
You’ve already taken the first step—becoming informed!
Choose mineral sunscreens, especially lotions containing non-nano zinc dioxide as the primary active ingredient.
Look for reef safe sunscreens which are becoming increasingly available
Avoid aerosol sunscreen. Much of what you spray leaves a residue on the sand which is then washed back into the ocean. Your lungs will be healthier too, as aerosol sunscreens are easily inhaled.
If you can, apply less personal care products before you go swimming; the fewer chemicals you bring into the ocean, the better. Some ways to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation without lots of sunscreen could be to avoid going to the beach during the intense midday sun, or spending lots of time in the shade and in sun protective clothing and a hat.
These tips can help you care for the ocean while you enjoy carefree time on the beach and in the ocean. Of course, we don’t mean to throw shade on sunscreen on National Sunscreen Day—you should always protect yourself from harmful UV rays while enjoying time outside! So next time you join your friends at the beach, help us shed some light on this beloved summer essential and share our tips to keep both beachgoers and our treasured corals healthy, safe and protected.
oceanconservancy.org/blog/2018/05/24/sunscreen-killing-coral-reef/
You’ve already taken the first step—becoming informed!
Choose mineral sunscreens, especially lotions containing non-nano zinc dioxide as the primary active ingredient.
Look for reef safe sunscreens which are becoming increasingly available
Avoid aerosol sunscreen. Much of what you spray leaves a residue on the sand which is then washed back into the ocean. Your lungs will be healthier too, as aerosol sunscreens are easily inhaled.
If you can, apply less personal care products before you go swimming; the fewer chemicals you bring into the ocean, the better. Some ways to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation without lots of sunscreen could be to avoid going to the beach during the intense midday sun, or spending lots of time in the shade and in sun protective clothing and a hat.
These tips can help you care for the ocean while you enjoy carefree time on the beach and in the ocean. Of course, we don’t mean to throw shade on sunscreen on National Sunscreen Day—you should always protect yourself from harmful UV rays while enjoying time outside! So next time you join your friends at the beach, help us shed some light on this beloved summer essential and share our tips to keep both beachgoers and our treasured corals healthy, safe and protected.
oceanconservancy.org/blog/2018/05/24/sunscreen-killing-coral-reef/
On our recent trip to Maui, Hawaii, Chris and I did practice using what were labeled as "reef friendly" sunscreen, and I used a rash protection shirt by Aqualung rather than sunscreen on my upper torso while Chris used her full 2.5mm wetsuit (mostly for thermal protection, but also for sun protection). I also used an old ball cap, worn backwards, with my mask strap over it, to protect my bald spot. Chris wore "my" red water polo cap (I bought it for my bald spot, but Chris decided she liked it, so I invented my backwards ball cap, which actually protected me better by protecting the back of my neck too). I thought you'd like to see what we have learned.
John