Ocean pollution is a hot environmental topic these days, particularly the damage being done to sea life by plastic waste. But who knew that the simple creams and lotions we put on our skin to prevent sunburn are in some cases deadly to the tiny marine corals that build our ocean reefs. Coral is already suffering from bleaching and the effects of ocean acidification, so why add poison to the problem? Writer Carla Hereria addressed the problem and the new Hawaiian law in a piece in the Huffington Post.
“Hawaii may soon be the first state in the U.S. to ban sunscreens with chemicals that harm nature. State lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bill that bans the sale of sunscreens that have chemicals believed to damage coral reefs. The ban is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2021, once it is signed by Gov. David Ige (D).
The bill specifically prohibits the sale and distribution of any sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate. Prescription sunscreens with those chemicals are not affected by the ban.” Read more.
