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. The chemical caused the coral to make an enlarged skeleton and to become encased in it. 0. Organic UV filters, such as oxybenzone, have been shown to cause bleaching, increased viral infection, and ultimately accelerated death in corals. CORAL REEFS ARE ONE OF THE MOST VIBRANT AND BIOLOGICALLY DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS ON THE PLANET. Oxybenzone also damaged the DNA of the coral. We don’t fully know the true extend as to how chemicals in sunscreen affect coral reefs, but we definitely know it … Studies show that oxybenzone, a common chemical found particularly in spray-on sunscreens, contributes to coral bleaching and leaves reefs deformed. Giokas, D. L, A. What does oxybenzone and octinoxate do to coral reefs? Oxybenzone and octinoxate are two ingredients believed to contribute to coral bleaching. The chemicals found in sunscreen, oxybenzone and octinoxate (also known as octyl methoxycinnamate), have already been shown to contribute to coral bleaching — when coral … In humans, oxybenzone has been reported to produce contact and photocontact allergy reactions, implemented as a possible endocrine disruptor and has been linked to Hirschsprung's disease. This article has in-depth information about coral bleaching. Butylparaben - Preservative ingredient shown to cause coral bleaching. Some sunscreen ingredients have also been found to cause coral bleaching in studies on isolated coral samples. 4 ↑ Downs, et al. Bleached corals continue to live but begin to starve after bleaching. Butylparaben – Preservative ingredient shown to cause coral bleaching. Oxybenzone's UV- filtering component is the main problem. Corals bleach when they lose or expel the algae … This goes hand in hand with your other question about why does changes in algae photosynthesis cause coral bleaching. No matter the skin type, we all need protection from harmful rays that can damage our skin or cause forms of … According to marine ecology researcher Cinzia Corinaldesi, who has studied the impact of sunscreens on coral reefs since 2003, the problem is that “unfortunately, oxybenzone is not the only harmful ingredient of sunscreens.” Other UV filters, including zinc oxide, are proving to have an impact on coral bleaching—and the ban does nothing to prevent these. There must be other factors that affect coral bleaching and some are discussed below. Oxybenzone and octinoxate have been shown to cause coral bleaching at very low concentrations. The algae provides up to 90 percent of the coral's energy. Young coral is more susceptible to deformities and DNA damage, hampering, proper growth, and the ability to reproduce. Facebook Twitter Pinterest. The researchers stated that oxybenzone is "a skeletal endocrine disruptor" in coral. Oxybenzone: A popular UV filter that’s rated as a red 8 on the EWG’s sunscreen scale. Outdoor outfitter REI plans by 2020 to stop carrying sunscreen with oxybenzone, and scientist Craig Downs—whose work has helped draw attention to the risks of oxybenzone to coral … They are dying at an alarming rate. Scientific Evidence Showing Chemicals Cause Damage to Coral Reefs (Honolulu) – A compound commonly found in sunscreens has been shown to cause serious harm to corals, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is asking people who enter the ocean to avoid using sunscreens which contain oxybenzone. The situation is dire enough that … (2007, May 19). This damage ultimately kills the corals’ offspring, also known as planulae. The Hawaii Medical Association notes that while coral bleaching appears to be linked to oxybenzone in some studies, increased risk of skin cancer is … Terms like “reef-safe” or “reef-friendly” are typically used to identify sunscreens that do not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, two common UV-blocking chemicals, that studies have shown can cause coral bleaching. A 2013 study performed by NOAA and partners researched the effect of oxybenzone-2 or BP-2, for short and in 2016 another study did similar work oxybenzone -3 or BP-3. The chemicals cause DNA damage which inhibits the corals ability to reproduce and increase the risk and rate of coral bleaching, ultimately leading to disintegration of the coral reefs. It's also worth noting that oxybenzone made news recently when the chemical was banned in the state of Hawaii. HOW CONCLUSIVE IS THE EVIDENCE? The impacts of oxybenzone and octinoxate on fish and corals are myriad: They disrupt their endocrine systems, cause deformities, and lead to the bleaching of coral reefs. Environmental Health Perspectives, 116(4). The main chemical culprits are oxybenzone and octinoxate, which convert sunburn-causing UV rays into harmless heat on human skin. The sunscreen ingredients that are not reef safe are products with a high content of Titanium Dioxide as this does not biodegrade. In areas prone to high levels of recreational use, like beaches and snorkeling destinations, sunscreen plays a huge role in coral bleaching. So, what is coral bleaching? Oxybenzone is found in over 3500 sunscreen products worldwide. According to Dr. Craig Downs, executive director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Clifford, Virginia, oxybenzone and octinoxate prevents the growth of baby corals, causes coral bleaching, and may even affect some marine animals like shrimp and clams. And Hawaii, the Pacific nation of Palau and Key West recently banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate because they cause coral bleaching and are dangerous to marine ecosystems. Environmental Health Perspectives Vol 116, No. The main cause of bleaching is global warming, however as we can see, it is more complicated than that and there are so many factors when it comes to coral bleaching. When coral bleaches, it is not dead, but under significant stress and subject to increased mortality levels. The Link Between Oxybenzone, Sunscreen, And Coral Reefs ... that certain sunscreen products cause rapid and complete bleaching of hard corals even at … Try to Google what the effects of sunscreen on reefs are. 4 comments. The following is a cheat sheet of the ingredients that have been shown to cause coral bleaching even at low levels: Oxybenzone. S, C. A. Recent studies conducted by scientists have concluded that oxybenzone, a chemical in sunscreen, is drastically harming coral reefs. In essence, chemical sunscreens serve to amplify one of the worst effects of climate change in the sea: The primary cause of coral bleaching is rising sea temperatures, but oxybenzone, which becomes more toxic when exposed to sunlight, contributes to that bleaching while introducing other issues to the coral—DNA damage and death among them. Oxybenzone is found in over 3500 sunscreen products worldwide. SST is uniform around the coral colony so is not a likely cause of this local bleaching trend. Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3, BP-3) - Sunscreen ingredient that disrupts coral reproduction, causes coral bleaching, and damages coral DNA. Oxybenzone is a chemical filter found in many sunscreens. Certain chemicals in sunscreens have been linked to coral disease, coral bleaching, and stunted coral growth. On average, coral bleaching takes intervals of 2 to 4 years to occur. FACT: Sunscreen with concentrations of oxybenzone as low as 62 parts per trillion has been found to cause damage to coral (equivalent to a drop of water in six and a half Olympic-sized swimming pools). “All these results indicate that sunscreens have a rapid effect on hard corals and cause bleaching by damaging the … The sunscreen ingredients that are not reef safe are products with a high content of Titanium Dioxide as this does not biodegrade. Coral bleaching has led to the reduction of numbers of coral reefs. Read More. 2015. Oxybenzone causes coral reef bleaching. Oxybenzone and two other sunscreen chemicals, octinoxate and homosalate, have all been shown to cause disruptive reproductive system effects, due to their hormone-like activity. Fortunately I was able to find some information so you at least know a few brands to avoid. Besides damaging coral, oxybenzone may have negative effects on human health. Some of the key studies are: Danovaro et al. Limiting sales of sunscreens with oxybenzone will help prevent further deterioration of the reef. These ingredients are parabens, octinoxate and oxybenzone. First off, it isn’t all sunscreen products; the products being banned in Palau, Hawaii, Key West, etc. The Impact Sunscreen Has on Coral Reefs However, the most common cause of coral bleaching is changes in the ocean’s temperature. Oxybenzone is found in over 3500 sunscreen products worldwide. These chemicals can lead to coral bleaching, damage the DNA of corals, and increase abnormal growth and deformities. "[Oxybenzone] will cause corals to bleach at 78 degrees, and that's non-bleaching temperature." According to some studies (Click to read study) These 4 common sunscreen ingredients that have been shown to cause coral bleaching: Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), Butylparaben, Octinoxate, and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (Allowed in Europe and Canada, not in USA or Japan.)
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