What to Know About Sunscreen Bans By Katherine Gallagher
B
y now, you’ve likely heard about the sunscreen bans sweeping popular travel destinations around the world. Studies from as early as 2015 found harsh chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate to harm coral reefs and other types of sea life. Now, some communities that rely on ocean-based tourism are fighting back. When it comes to sun protection, consumers generally have their go-to brands—whether they’re responsible for protecting their families or just themselves. These trusted sources have stood the test of time on numerous vacations, beach days, and summer barbecues by the pool. Since most travelers have yet to ditch these damaging sunscreens and make the switch to more natural alternatives, destinations where the importance of healthy oceans is paramount have responded by enacting bans on sunscreens containing toxic ingredients. In some scientific communities, the need for these bans remains up for debate. Some scientists have made it clear that since most coral bleaching is caused by climate change, changing sunscreen laws won’t be enough to counter the damage. Others worry that limiting sunscreen availability will cause more people to forgo it altogether, leading to a rise in skin cancer. The FDA announced a sunscreen safety proposal in Feb. 2019 concluding only two ingredients (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) to be considered safe and effective out of the 16 currently marketed in over-the-counter sunscreens. According to the FDA, 12 ingredients (including oxybenzone and octinoxate) do not have enough data to support a safety rating. It’s not just the reefs that are suffering, either. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) advises that harmful
chemicals found in sunscreen can impair algae, cause defects in young mollusk species, damage sea urchins, decrease fertility in fish, and accumulate in the tissues of dolphins. The research team led by NOAA found oxybenzone to be highly toxic to young coral and other types of ocean life in a 2016 study. According to the study, the chemical can induce coral bleaching, deform, or kill young coral and even damage coral DNA. Vibrant coral reefs are a tourism highlight for many popular destinations, and the attraction of a healthy reef employs local communities and economic value—with total estimates ranging from $100,000 to $600,000 per square kilometer per year. Though coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean, they support one-quarter of all marine life, including 4,000 different species of fish, as habitat and feeding areas. When coral reefs can perform their jobs as natural breakwaters, they minimize large wave impacts and provide added protection for coastal areas from natural storms. So, you’re traveling to a place with a sunscreen ban and wondering what your options are. Luckily, there are plenty. Trending sunscreen bans have brought natural sunscreen brands into the
54 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021
