Sunscreen’s Effect on the Environment

Sunscreen is an important part of protecting ourselves during the summer. However, a lot of sunscreens have chemicals that can harm marine life. These chemicals are: 

  • Oxybenzone 
  • Benzophenone-1
  • Benzophenone-8
  • OD-PABA
  • 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor
  • 3-Benzylidene camphor
  • nano-Titanium dioxide
  • nano-Zinc oxide
  • Octinoxate
  • Octocrylene

When you put on sunscreen, it can wash off of your skin and enter into our waterways. It affects marine life in the following ways:

Green Algae:

Coral:

Mussels:

Sea Urchins:

Fish:

Dolphins: