• About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
  • Fact Checking Policy
Newsum
  • Home
  • News
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Review
  • Inspiring
  • Humor
  • Video
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Review
  • Inspiring
  • Humor
  • Video
No Result
View All Result
Newsum
No Result
View All Result

Is Your Sunscreen Killing the Coral Reef?

The sunscreen that we use to protect our skin from sun damage is actually harming the coral reefs

Aman Kumar by Aman Kumar
July 20, 2019
in Lifestyle
0
13
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on WhatsappShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn

Did you know that the seemingly harmless sunscreen that we use for protecting ourselves is actually harming the aquatic life?

If we look at the figures, 80 per cent of coral reefs in the Caribbean have been damaged since the last 50 years. The main reasons for this depletion are all due to human intervention: pollution and coastal development. Up to 14,000 metric tons of sunscreen settle on coral reefs every year and would you believe that it is about the weight of 3,000 elephants!

The chemical Benzophenone used in sunscreens hardens corals in the larval stage and closes them up in their own skeleton. This toxin also harms a microalga that is essential for the well-being of corals.

Due to an increase in coral reefs damaged, few countries like Hawaii and Palau have taken measures to protect the seabed. Hawaii is the first country to ban sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate. This ban will be effective from January 1, 2021.

Following the footsteps of Hawaii, another small island, Palau also banned the selling of sunscreens that are not reef friendly. Palau is known to have the largest marine reserves across the world. 

When our sunscreen comes in contact with water, substances like oxybenzone are absorbed. These substances act as a barrier to coral reproduction and growth.

When you swim with sunscreen on, chemicals like oxybenzone can seep into the water, where they’re absorbed by corals. These substances contain nanoparticles that can disrupt coral’s reproduction and growth cycles, ultimately leading to bleaching. We do know that sunscreens help in preventing skin cancer, we can’t stop using it. But, there are ways that can help us deal with the problem of coral depletion: 

  • Using biodegradable sunscreens that also result in less pollution. Such sunscreens are reef-friendly.
  • Wearing hats, shirts, and apparels that protect you from UV rays and result in using less amount of sunscreen usage.
  • Taking an umbrella or a beach tent or picking a shady spot on the beach.

The National Park Service encourages tourists to use products that are reef-friendly. Although no sunscreen has proven to be completely reef-friendly, sunscreens that contain titanium oxide or zinc oxide have proven to be harmless for corals.

How do you plan to prepare yourself for the next beach vacation? Hope you would bear this information in mind.

0
Tags: coral reefsNational Park Service

Get real time update about this post categories directly on your device, subscribe now.

Unsubscribe
Previous Post

ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: England lifts first title

Next Post

Friendship quotes that will make you want to hug your bestie

Next Post
friendship quotes

Friendship quotes that will make you want to hug your bestie

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Browse by Category

  • Apps
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion
  • Food
  • Gadget
  • Gaming
  • Health
  • Humor
  • Inspiring
  • Lifestyle
  • Mobile
  • Movie
  • Music
  • News
  • Others
  • Politics
  • Review
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Startup
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Video
  • World
Newsum is the future of news

#FutureOfNews

Follow & Like Us

Download Newsum App

Recent News

10 Ways AI is Combating Climate Change Today

10 Ways AI is Combating Climate Change Today

February 5, 2025
Thermogalvanic Cooling System In Action

Revolutionizing Refrigeration: The Rise of Thermogalvanic Cooling Technology

February 5, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
  • Fact Checking Policy

© 2021 SCVPL - Future of News Newsum.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Technology
  • Movie
  • Lifestyle
  • Review
  • Inspiring

© 2021 SCVPL - Future of News Newsum.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00
Go to mobile version