13 May 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: