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Hawaii Bans Sunscreens That Hurt Coral Reefs (popularmechanics.com)
In early May, Hawaii lawmakers passed a bill that would prohibit the sale of over-the-counter sunscreens containing chemicals that contribute to the destruction of the state's coral reefs and other ocean life. Hawaii Governor David Ige signed the bill this week, making the ban official. Popular Mechanics reports: Hawaii is the first U.S. state to pass a legislation banning the sale of sunscreen containing [oxybenzone and octinoxate]. The bill will go into effect on January 1, 2021. "We are blessed in Hawaii to be home of some of the most beautiful natural resources on the planet," Ige said at the bill signing, according to The Huffington Post. "But our natural environment is fragile and our own interaction with the Earth can have everlasting impacts, and this bill is a small first step worldwide to really caring about our corals and our reefs in a way that no one else anywhere in the world has done."
A 2015 study conducted by scientists at the University of Central Florida found that oxybenzone, a common UV-filtering compound, kills the coral, causes DNA damage in the coral's adult stage, and deforms the DNA in the larval stage, hindering its development. A separate 2015 study, published in the Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology and conducted by biologist Craig Downs, also found that the chemicals produced water pollution and had damning effects on the coral reefs. In 2012, Women's Health reported that oxybenzone and octinoxate may actually be harmful to humans as well, not just coral reefs. According to the publication, when the skin absorbs oxybenzone, it can cause an eczema-like allergic reaction and disrupt hormone levels. Octinoxate may damage skin cells and lead to premature aging.
A 2015 study conducted by scientists at the University of Central Florida found that oxybenzone, a common UV-filtering compound, kills the coral, causes DNA damage in the coral's adult stage, and deforms the DNA in the larval stage, hindering its development. A separate 2015 study, published in the Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology and conducted by biologist Craig Downs, also found that the chemicals produced water pollution and had damning effects on the coral reefs. In 2012, Women's Health reported that oxybenzone and octinoxate may actually be harmful to humans as well, not just coral reefs. According to the publication, when the skin absorbs oxybenzone, it can cause an eczema-like allergic reaction and disrupt hormone levels. Octinoxate may damage skin cells and lead to premature aging.
Sunscreen is only one factor out of several, but you have to start somewhere.
While we're talking about Hawaii, there's times that our satellite signals don't reach. Is everybody okay over there? Pop singer Hoku... we haven't heard from you recently. Can you visit Slashdot once in a while?
TFS links to a study (well, an article about a study at least) that suggests that researchers did show that those particular chemicals were harmful to coral reefs. Maybe you could argue that the amounts needed to be harmful exceed what a reef would ever be exposed to, but it seems it does cause problems.
Hawaii has several coral-lined bays where they don't permit boats. Their exposure to oil, fuel, etc. would be quite minimal relative to other reefs. However, they do see a large number of tourists, many of whom will be wearing sunscreen.
And before someone goes off about people getting skin cancer, there are several types of sunscreen that don't use either chemical and are available in high-SPF varieties. I'm not sure how easy it will be to enforce any of this. The last time I was in Hawaii there was plenty of litter on some of their beaches. If people can't even be expected to pick up after themselves, they won't be bothered to make sure they're not using the wrong kind of sunscreen.
Excuse me, but the plural of reef is reeves.
It gets banned in 2021 and then the coral will be protected.
Along with the rest of the Trump traitors.
And before someone goes off about people getting skin cancer, there are several types of sunscreen that don't use either chemical and are available in high-SPF varieties.
Name one that isn't also "bad" for you.
Most of the people who litter are tourists, not locals, and this law doesn't apply to them I believe. Hawaii won't prevent you from bringing your sunscreen from the mainland in, it'll simply prevent you from buying that sunscreen in Hawaii.
"Set a man a fire, he'll be warm for the rest of the night. Set a man afire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
That's actually surprisingly rational coming from the idiot populists in our legislature. 2 1/2 years is enough time for production and distribution to adapt, and it's enough time for the study to be validated (they aren't independent studies, it's one study by fairly large group). Worst case is that people pay a little more for sun screen that doesn't have oxybenzone, most likely case is a measurable improvement in reef health. Best case is a significant increase in reef health and in tourist income on the other islands.
Most of the people who litter are tourists, not locals
Bullshit.
First time I used coral safe sunscreen, I discovered the nuclear option. Titanium dioxide was the main ingredient. Put it on and spent hours in the water fishing. I was as white as ever when I washed it off. Not a bit of tanning from solar exposure. None. It's not the sexy option. You will look pasty white if you use it. Ultraviolet will not get through. You could probably survive being stuck in a microwave. Okay, maybe not but seriiusly, you won't get burned by the sun. Costs a few extra $, but worth it.
Why is this -1?
Someone's abusing their mod privileges.
And before someone goes off about people getting skin cancer, there are several types of sunscreen that don't use either chemical and are available in high-SPF varieties.
Name one that isn't also "bad" for you.
Sunscreen isn't bad for you.
Being in the sun is bad for you. Bad sunscreen is bad for the environment.
Do try to keep up.
Most of the people who litter are tourists, not locals, and this law doesn't apply to them I believe. Hawaii won't prevent you from bringing your sunscreen from the mainland in, it'll simply prevent you from buying that sunscreen in Hawaii.
You do know that Hawaii has special permission to search your bags in and out of the state, even on domestic flights? They have enormous issues with non-native species and searching baggage is the only way to stop it. So Yes, they can take your non-compliant sun screen from you.
Thanks for the retarded denialist republican INCEL faggot perspective, snowflake. Wrong.
See subject: Your MASSIVE FAIL in this life is you're nothing more than a chattering little do-nothing "ne'er-do-well" online & you know it...
* Is that the best your "phantasyland FAKE NAME" (for your fake lie of a so-called 'life') can manage?
When a FAKE NAME do nothing like YOU does better than I have? Then talk (you're all talk & no action)...
You can't help you're an immature little BUTTHURT no-mind, lol! I blew you away in TONS OF PLACES and easily dust your no-mind bullshit blatherings.
APK
P.S.=> The TRUE PRICE of your UNIDENTIFIABLE FAKE NAME do-nothing selves like you that I can ALWAYS CASH IN ON (lol) is that I can use FACT/TRUTH on them to SHATTER their all TOO fragile delusional egos that they actually know A DAMN THING in computing, lol... apk
Most the people who litter are homeless.
Checked a bunch of spray on sunscreen? Both chemicals. Been using the stuff for years... Makes me wonder what I've been doing to my body.
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How about banning fluffy-haired real estate agents pimping the property values to the level where native Hawaiians can afford to buy?
Most are forced to live inland in shantys.
They have to be the most effective govt going... they did it twice in two months.. it's usually hard if not impossible to get anything done once!!
If only we could ban the editors that post duplicates on slash dot????
Probably not that hard. Given TSA restrictions on liquids and gels tourists probably mostly just buy sunscreen when they get there and locals obviously aren't exactly likely to pick any up just over the state line. So if you get the stuff off the store shelves you are probably 90% there. You're only problem then is the few who order sunscreen online and that probably isn't a huge environmental impact
It's not about individuals, it's about enforcing what's for sale to those individuals. Shops won't have the banned varieties of sunscreen, so the derpy consumers probably won't even be aware, unless there's a significant price change.
Hell, there will probably be a few savvy product designers that riff on this, and market their product as "Reef Safe" to cash in on eco sentiment. Like "fat free" or "zero calories" shit - any button that can be pressed will be, if it's legal and results in profit.
Why's it so hard for people to see the danger in marketing and media conditioning?
What's killing the coral reefs is all the boat oil, fuel, etc. leakages and exhaust venting into the ocean.
I know. Guns don't kill people. Car accidents, and smoking kills people. It's absurd to think there could be anything else contributing to death.
And before someone goes off about people getting skin cancer, there are several types of sunscreen that don't use either chemical and are available in high-SPF varieties.
In fact, very few brands of sunscreen seem to contain these chemicals. I couldn't find any. It seems they have already been phased out due to health concerns and regulations.
Gawdsakes everybody knows you slather BBQ-sauce not sunscreen on coral reefs before you start eating them. No matter how good coco-butter + aloe smoothies taste on a hot day ...
Hawaiian locals are usually too drunk to litter ... in fact too drunk to find the beach.
Zinc oxide. Though it’s a bit hard to spread on...
If it isn't available to buy locally, that should stop lots of people using it by default, so it is better than nothing.