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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.
Regulations are unfaaaaaaair like the witch huuuuuunt, waaaaaah!
That's absurd.
What's killing the coral reefs is all the boat oil, fuel, etc. leakages and exhaust venting into the ocean.
Not some minuscule suntan cream.
WTF.
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?
Because Hawaii Has Lost Its Way. Oh won't you bring back my Hawaii to me, Scott?
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.
They do this in the midst of a volcano eruption that's destroying more reef and emitting more climate change than everything man-made for the past several decades combined. Why didn't they ban volcanoes too? It will do as much good.
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.
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.
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
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.
I enjoy the smell of burnt krakkkers' skin, and can't wait to see their developing melanomas :)
Melanin Power, Afrika rulez!
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????
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 ...