Israeli Scientists Find Coral Reefs Under Attack From Sun Screen

Photo Credit: courtesy, BGU

According to MarineSafe, a group concerned with the impact of these products on ocean health, there may be as many as 82,000 chemicals polluting our marine environments, just from personal care use. Oxybenzone is found in a range of products from lipstick and mascara to sun screen and shampoo. It acts as a barrier to UV light, a task for which other ingredients are available.

The chemical has already been identified as a threat to human health.

Oxybenzone has been listed by the European Union’s International Chemical Secretariat on its “Substitute It Now” list of substances that should be replaced, and which meets criteria for “Substances of Very High Concern.”