Sunscreen Killing Coral Reefs, Study Says
Concentrations of an聽ingredient in sunscreen that’s toxic to coral were 12 times higher in Hawaii.
Sunscreen is helping kill聽coral reefs around the world, especially in Hawaii, according to a new study published Tuesday.
A team of marine scientists has found that a common chemical found in sunscreen lotions and other cosmetic products 鈥 oxybenzone 鈥 poses “an ecological and existential threat to corals and coral reefs,” according to a release from the non-profit .
Seawater testing discovered concentrations of the聽ingredient, which is found in over 3,500 sunscreen products, were 12 times higher in Hawaii and the Caribbean,聽.
鈥淭his study raises our awareness of a seldom聽realized threat to the health of our reef life at Napili Bay: chemicals in the sunscreen products聽visitors and residents wear are toxic to young corals,” said Pat Lindquist, executive director of the Napili聽Bay and Beach Foundation of Maui, said in .
“This knowledge is critical to us as we consider actions to mitigate threats or improve on聽current practices,” Lindquist said. “We hope to promote more use of sun-protective swimwear which will benefit聽our reefs and bay, and have plans to investigate best options in the coming year.鈥
