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A:
In short, no. Use of the terms “ biodegradable” or “reef-friendly” on a sunscreen isn’t regulated, but before we get into too much detail, let’s back up a little.
Coral reefs are under increasing threats, not only from global warming but also from the tourists who want to appreciate their beauty. In April, a study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) revealed that chemicals and preservatives used in a number of sunscreens triggered viral infections in coral, causing them to bleach and die. The study targeted sunscreens that use chemical UV barriers (which absorb UV rays before they damage your skin) as opposed to physical UV barriers (which reflect UV rays before they reach your skin), and found that the sunscreen chemicals benzophenone and cinnamate caused the most harm. The researchers also found that preservatives called parabens, common in sunscreens, promoted coral bleaching.
It’s easy to imagine that one person slathered with sunscreen wouldn’t cause much harm to ocean life, but the EHP study noted that the 78 million tourists who
visit areas with coral reefs leave behind 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen annually, because roughly 25 percent of what you put on gets washed off.
So let’s get back to your question about what you should look for in reef-friendly sunscreens. Since there are no regulations on what is “biodegradable” or “reef-friendly,” buy sunscreens with plant-based ingredients, which break down faster than petroleum-based ingredients do after they wash off. Also opt for physical UV barriers (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) rather than chemicals. Fortunately, what’s better for the coral tends to be better for you: The same chemical preservatives and UV blockers that damage reefs may interfere with your hormones (see p. 41).
A few good brands to start with:
Caribbean Solutions ($15–$16/6 oz.; caribbean-sol.com, 888-877-7338)
Soleo Organics ($25/2.6 oz.; soleousa.com, 949-276-4213)
UV Natural ($32.80/5.29 oz.; amazon.com)
And see p. 43 for clothes that protect you without adding chemicals to the water.
Have a question? E-mail us at justask@thegreenguide.com.
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