Hawaiian legislators passed a bill that would ban the sale of sunscreen containing certain chemicals.
Sanibel, FL. — Hawaiian legislators passed a bill that would ban the sale of sunscreen containing certain chemicals. Any products containing oxybenzone or octinoxate will no longer be on store shelves once the governor signs the bill into law.
Scientists in Southwest Florida said those chemicals are to blame for killing coral reefs worldwide.
“Worldwide it is a huge contributor to the health of marine ecosystems,” said Dr. Richard Bartleson, Research Scientist with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. “If coral was gone then we’re going to be deficient in a lot of marine life.”
Most beachgoers aren’t aware of the harmful chemicals poisoning the world’s water.
“You see the different colors of the waters and such and you think nothing would ever be wrong out there,” Maureen Shotwell said.
Bartleson said one drop of toxic sunscreen can pollute five swimming pools of water.
“It would get washed out over time but it would have already killed the corals that are here,” Bartleson said.
Scientists say oxybenzone is also a carcinogen, meaning it causes cancer.
While Bartleson wants certain sunscreens banned in Florida, he doesn’t have much faith in legislators.
“We don’t have a lot of success with our Florida politicians on environmental issues,” he said.
