Sunscreen bans: Coral reefs and skin cancer

This article reviews the reasons and future directions. Hawaii recently enacted legislation that will ban the two major ingredients of the majority of commonly used sunscreens in order to protect marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. But sunscreens also save lives by decreasing the risk of UV ‐induced skin cancers. This article reviews the issues and potential implications for healthcare providers. SummaryWhat is known and objectiveHawaii will ban two major ingredients of sunscreens. This article reviews the reasons and future directions. Hawaii recently enacted legislation that will ban the use of two major ingredients of the majority of commonly used sunscreens. The reason for the ban is the ingredients ’ putative deleterious impact on marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. But sunscreens also save lives by decreasing the risk of UV‐induced skin cancers. We review both sides of the issue and potential implications for the healthcare system.CommentCoral reefs consist of organisms in delicate equilibria that are susceptible to small changes in their surroundings. Recent natural and man ‐made disruptions, direct or indirect, such as changes in ocean temperature and chemistry, ingress of invasive species, pathogens, pollution and deleterious fishing practices, have been blamed for the poor health, or even the outright destruction, of some coral reefs. The most popular sunscreen pr oducts contain two ingredients—oxybenzone and octinoxate—that have also b...
Source: Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: COMMENTARY Source Type: research