IMPACTS OF SUNSCREENS ON CORAL REEFS

FUNDED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SWEDEN AND THE FONDATION POUR LA RECHERCHE SUR LA BIODIVERSITE

AUTHOR: ELIZABETH WOOD

This document responds to Goal 3(5) of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Plan of Action 2016-2018, which seeks to review issues relating to the impact of sunscreens on coral reefs.

Sunscreens contain organic (chemical) and/or inorganic (mineral) UV filters that absorb, reflect or scatter UV light. They also contain inactive ingredients such as antimicrobial preservatives, moisturisers and anti-oxidants. Sunscreen ingredients including chemical (benzophenone-3 and -4 (BP-3 or oxybenzone; BP-4), ethylhexyl methoxy cinnamate (EHMC), homosalate (HMS), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB)) and mineral (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) UV filters have been detected in coastal waters. UV filters reach coastal waters either directly as a consequence of washing off swimmers and/or indirectly from wastewater treatment plant effluents. Many of these components have also been found in marine biota including fish, molluscs and corals as well as in sediments.

See full article at source:  https://www.icriforum.org/sites/default/files/ICRI_Sunscreen_0.pdf