AD 2016 Q1

DIVE SLATE
SUNSCREEN POLLUTION
Many sunscreen lotions also contain preservatives, which
a growing body of evidence shows are an environmental
threat. Parabens are preservatives that inhibit fungal and
bacterial growth. At lower concentrations they can act
as pheromone and endocrine disruptors, while at higher
concentrations they can be acutely toxic to invertebrates.
Another preservative, phenoxyethanol, was originally
used as an insecticide and an insect repellant, and it can
be toxic at low concentrations to invertebrates from
shrimp to sea urchins. It is still used as a mass anesthetic
for fish in some aquaculture operations.
We have evidence that many of these ingredients
contaminate marine and coastal environments, but
our general lack of societal inquiry into their toxicities
leaves us with little ability to accurately assess whether
they pose a clear and present danger to marine habitats.
IMPLICATIONS AND SOLUTIONS
There is no single, definitive solution to the problem
of sunscreen pollution, but a diversity of approaches
can be implemented to various effects. All will require
further research to determine which ingredients
are safe and which pose a realistic threat to marine
ecosystems. These approaches also depend on
adequate communication of the data to consumers,
manufacturers, regulators and other stakeholders. It
should be noted that none of these mitigation options
require that sunscreen not be used. Sun protection is a
significant public health issue, and sunscreens play an
important role in the management of this risk.
One approach is to ban the use of products that
contain threatening ingredients in areas where coral
reefs are most susceptible to exposure. This type of
regulatory policy has been in place for almost 10 years
in Mexico’s ecoreserves, including Xcaret and Xel-Há.
This sort of policy might be the easiest and most costeffective
approach, at least in areas crucial for active reef
conservation and restoration, such as coral reef nurseries.
A second approach involves a public relations
campaign, to be implemented in coral reef managed areas
such as marine parks and sanctuaries,
that informs visitors and locals
about the environmental impact
of sunscreen pollution and asks
them to use suncare products
without threatening ingredients.
The best current example of this
strategy is the U.S. National Park
Service’s campaign to “Protect
Yourself, Protect the Reef.”
I’ve spoken with a number of
dive shop and resort operators
Reference
1. Downs CA, Kramarsky-Winter E,
Segal R, et al. 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. Arch
Environ Contam Toxicol 2015 Oct 20.
doi: 10.1007/s00244-015-0227-7.
about designing and implementing a similar public
relations campaign. Many of these businesses promote
education and offer a selection of suncare products
that are free of the toxic ingredients listed by Mexico’s
ecoparks or the website MarineSafe.org. Some resorts
and dive shops are even proposing to offer coral “safe”
sunscreen for free to their guests, although the lack of
toxicological data showing what is safe and what isn’t is
the critical obstacle for any such campaign.
A third strategy is to convince people to reduce the
amount of sunscreen they use. Applying lotion to only the
neck, face, feet and backs of hands can reduce sunscreen
loads into the water by 90 percent. Sun clothes designed
to reduce UV exposure have evolved tremendously in
the past 10 years in both fashion and utility. Gone are the
days of tight-fitting rashguards or jumpsuits that are a
pain to put on and take off, especially when wet; there are
now clothes that are comfortable and well suited to the
water, the beach and the cafe.
A fourth option requires consumers to demand
innovation from manufacturers regarding the
formulation of their products. We are at a juncture
in which industry can either demonstrate leadership
by developing environmentally sustainable new
products that are popular with consumers or dig in
its heels, refusing to adapt and suffering economic
and reputational consequences. The successful rise
of several environmentally conscious companies
demonstrates the influence of consumers who demand
more sustainable products.
Whatever we choose to do moving forward, we must
remember that the best way to keep marketing honest is
for the consumer to demand attention to rigorous and
unbiased science from both industry and government —
the institutions with the power to inform manufacturers
and consumers about which ingredients are gentler to
marine ecosystems. Scientific data generated by industry
alone is often viewed with suspicion and distrust, with
ample historical justification. The relevant science
should be conducted by financially neutral parties that
follow standardized, validated
testing protocols. Governments
can play a pivotal role by
encouraging third-party testing,
standardizing methodologies and
moderating dialogue among all
interested parties. As with many
marine environmental issues,
divers are uniquely positioned to
both lead by example and benefit
from healthier and more vibrant
reefs. AD
18 | WINTER 2016