According to an article on National Geographic.com , a recent study in the journal Environmental Health Perspective found the four common chemicals in most sunscreens "awaken dormant viruses" in the algae that live inside reef-building coral species. The sunscreen chemicals cause the viruses to replicate and eventually spread into neighboring coral communities. Without the healthy algae, the coral 'bleaches'—turns white—and dies."
The researchers in the above mentioned study estimate that 4000-6000 metric tons of sunscreen washes off swimmers worldwide each year. The good news is that means more people are consciously protecting themselves from the sun. The bad news is it potentially can be harming 10% of the coral reefs worldwide.
What can a person do to continue to protect themselves from the UVA/UVB sun rays, therefore lessening their chances of developing skin cancer and premature aging, while still protecting the oceans that they swim in?
- One easy solution is to purchase UPF 50+ sun protective swimsuits and rashguard shirts. These provide more reliable protection from the sun because they don't wash off like sunscreen. In addition, they lessen the chemicals you would be exposing your skin to, as well as exposing to the coral reefs.
- For the areas that are not covered with UPF 50+ sun protective clothes, study leader Roberto Danovaro (of the Polytechnic University of Marche in Italy) says to use sunscreens with physical filters, which reflect instead of absorb ultraviolet radiation and use eco-friendly chemical sunscreens.
So, enjoy your beach vacation with a clean conscious and healthy skin!
