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cal filters like titanium dioxide or zinc
oxide. Nine of these chemicals are considered
endocrine disruptors and have implications
for normal hormone
functioning. The most commonly affected
hormones are estrogen, progesterone
and testosterone, in addition to regular
thyroid function. What does that mean
for our bodies? Disruptions in these specific
hormones can cause an early onset
of puberty, including premature breast
development in young women and low
sperm count in men. They have also
been linked to infertility, as well as
breast, ovarian and prostate cancer.
According to a 2008 study by the CDC,
97% of Americans have traces of oxybenzone,
a chemical found in sunscreen.
Oxybenzone is commonly used to promote
absorption of cosmetics and is successful
in penetrating the skin, so much
so that it is being found in mother’s breast
milk. The chemical has implications
for many aspects of health and is linked
to endocrine disruptions, cellular damage
and low birth weight in babies. In
addition, oxybenzone has relatively high
rates of skin allergies associated with its
use.
Beyond our own health, the chemicals
in sunblock have implications for our
delicate ecosystems. A study highlighted
by the journal Environmental Science
and Toxicology suggests that the microscopic
metals in sunscreen and other
common cosmetic products cause changes
in animals’ natural defense systems.
Researchers looked at how the white sea
urchin responded to nano-zinc oxide, a
chemical found in most sunscreens.
What they found was that an urchin
embryo exposed to the chemical was
more vulnerable to other infiltrations. It
was unable to rid itself of other toxic
substances as it typically could. Although
the study was only conducted
on sea urchin embryos, it is suggested
that the chemicals may ellicit similar effects
on other organisms and sea creatures.
In an Italian study, sunblock
ingredients oxybenzone, octinoxate, and
butylparaben were thought to be the
cause of viral infections in certain algae,
the same algae that are beneficial to
coral reefs. Without the vital nourishment
from the algae, the coral died. The
implications for the ecosystem as an entirety
will only worsen as concentrations
of these chemicals increase in waters surrounding
heavily populated beach areas.
Seem like a Catch-22? Sun protection is
essential, but so is our health and the
health of our ecosystems. Luckily, there
are alternatives. Lessening the time spent
in the sun during peak hours and reducing
the degree of exposure by staying
under an umbrella, wearing a hat and a
shirt will all save our skin naturally.
With the reflective nature of water,
however, sunblock is necessary when
swimming. Certain brands sell FDA approved
water resistant sunblock, which
are less likely to wash away harmful chemicals
into the water. Check the ingredients
to find options that do not
contain oxybenzone or other environmentally
harmful chemicals. Making
your own sunblock is always an option
(check out the DIY sunblock on our
website!), however apply it more often
than you typically would with regular
SPF, as it is sometimes less concentrated
than the products offered in stores.
With these options we really can protect
ourselves and our environment from the
strong summer sun.
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