Many Common Sunscreens May Harm Coral. Here's What To Use Instead
Hawaii is about to ban the sale of sunscreens containing certain chemicals which have been shown to harm coral reefs. Environmentalists urge a switch to mineral-based products.
Hawaii's governor David Ige is expected to sign the world's first ban on the sale of sunscreens containing the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate this week. The state is banning the products because of concerns they may be harming one of the state's biggest attractions — coral reefs.
While it doesn't kick in until 2021, the move is already prompting a public health pushback.
That's because up to of sunscreens on the U.S. market contain oxybenzone. Up to , which often shows up on labels as octyl
