Winter2016AlertDiver

Many sunscreen lotions also contain preservatives, which

a growing body of evidence shows are an environmental

threat. Parabens are preservatives that inhibit fungal and

bacterial growth. At lower concentrations they can act

as pheromone and endocrine disruptors, while at higher

concentrations they can be acutely toxic to invertebrates.

Another preservative, phenoxyethanol, was originally

used as an insecticide and an insect repellant, and it can

be toxic at low concentrations to invertebrates from

shrimp to sea urchins. It is still used as a mass anesthetic

for fish in some aquaculture operations.

We have evidence that many of these ingredients

contaminate marine and coastal environments, but

our general lack of societal inquiry into their toxicities

leaves us with little ability to accurately assess whether

they pose a clear and present danger to marine habitats.

IMPLICATIONS AND SOLUTIONS

There is no single, definitive solution to the problem

of sunscreen pollution, but a diversity of approaches

can be implemented to various effects. All will require

further research to determine which ingredients

are safe and which pose a realistic threat to marine

ecosystems. These approaches also depend on

adequate communication of the data to consumers,

manufacturers, regulators and other stakeholders. It

should be noted that none of these mitigation options

require that sunscreen not be used. Sun protection is a

significant public health issue, and sunscreens play an

important role in the management of this risk.

One approach is to ban the use of products that

contain threatening ingredients in areas where coral

reefs are most susceptible to exposure. This type of

regulatory policy has been in place for almost 10 years

in Mexico’s ecoreserves, including Xcaret and Xel-Há.

This sort of policy might be the easiest and most cost-

effective approach, at least in areas crucial for active reef

conservation and restoration, such as coral reef nurseries.

A second approach involves a public relations

campaign, to be implemented in coral reef managed areas

such as marine parks and sanctuaries,

that informs visitors and locals

about the environmental impact

of sunscreen pollution and asks

them to use suncare products

without threatening ingredients.

The best current example of this

strategy is the U.S. National Park

Service’s campaign to “Protect

Yourself, Protect the Reef.”

I’ve spoken with a number of

dive shop and resort operators

about designing and implementing a similar public

relations campaign. Many of these businesses promote

education and offer a selection of suncare products

that are free of the toxic ingredients listed by Mexico’s

ecoparks or the website

MarineSafe.org .

Some resorts

and dive shops are even proposing to offer coral “safe”

sunscreen for free to their guests, although the lack of

toxicological data showing what is safe and what isn’t is

the critical obstacle for any such campaign.

A third strategy is to convince people to reduce the

amount of sunscreen they use. Applying lotion to only the

neck, face, feet and backs of hands can reduce sunscreen

loads into the water by 90 percent. Sun clothes designed

to reduce UV exposure have evolved tremendously in

the past 10 years in both fashion and utility. Gone are the

days of tight-fitting rashguards or jumpsuits that are a

pain to put on and take off, especially when wet; there are

now clothes that are comfortable and well suited to the

water, the beach and the cafe.

A fourth option requires consumers to demand

innovation from manufacturers regarding the

formulation of their products. We are at a juncture

in which industry can either demonstrate leadership

by developing environmentally sustainable new

products that are popular with consumers or dig in

its heels, refusing to adapt and suffering economic

and reputational consequences. The successful rise

of several environmentally conscious companies

demonstrates the influence of consumers who demand

more sustainable products.

Whatever we choose to do moving forward, we must

remember that the best way to keep marketing honest is

for the consumer to demand attention to rigorous and

unbiased science from both industry and government —

the institutions with the power to inform manufacturers

and consumers about which ingredients are gentler to

marine ecosystems. Scientific data generated by industry

alone is often viewed with suspicion and distrust, with

ample historical justification. The relevant science

should be conducted by financially neutral parties that

follow standardized, validated

testing protocols. Governments

can play a pivotal role by

encouraging third-party testing,

standardizing methodologies and

moderating dialogue among all

interested parties. As with many

marine environmental issues,

divers are uniquely positioned to

both lead by example and benefit

from healthier and more vibrant

reefs.

Reference

1. Downs CA, Kramarsky-Winter E,

Segal R, et al. Toxicopathological Effects

of the Sunscreen UV Filter,Oxybenzone

(Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae

and Cultured Primary Cells and Its

Environmental Contamination in

Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Arch

Environ Contam Toxicol 2015 Oct 20.

doi: 10.1007/s00244-015-0227-7.

WINTER 2016

DIVE SLATE

SUNSCREEN POLLUTION