Slathering on sunscreen at the beach? It may be destroying coral reefs


Photograph: © SAF — Coastal Care

Excerpts;

Studies show that oxybenzone, a common chemical found particularly in spray-on sunscreens, contributes to coral bleaching and leaves reefs deformed…

Read Full Article, Guardian UK (04-28-2017)

Sunscreen Chemical Imperils Coral Reefs Around the Globe; AFP (10-21-2015)

Lathering up with sunscreen may protect against cancer — killing coral reefs worldwide, Science Daily 910-20-2015)
That’s the conclusion of a team of international scientists, which includes University of Central Florida professor and diving enthusiast John Fauth. The researchers found that oxybenzone, a common UV-filtering compound, is in high concentrations in the waters around the more popular coral reefs in Hawaii, and the Caribbean. The chemical not only kills the coral, it causes DNA damage in adults and deforms the DNA in coral in the larval stage, making it unlikely they can develop properly. The highest concentrations of oxybenzone were found in reefs most popular with tourists.

How we are all contributing to the destruction of coral reefs: Sunscreen, The Washington Post (10-20-2015)
And a new study finds that a single drop in a small area is all it takes for the chemicals in the lotion to mount an attack…

This Graphic Shows How Your Sunscreen Can Hurt Coral Reefs, TIME (10-21-2015)

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