Beyond climate change and local stressors, the planet's coral reefs are being threatened by another persistent pollutant—sunscreen.
, some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems in the world, are facing a number of serious threats. Beyond large-scale events like climate change, local stressors, including persistent sunscreen pollution, are contributing to their destruction, experts say.An undated stock photo shows thriving coral reef in the Philippines.
Downs, in collaboration with scientists at NOAA, studied sunscreen's effect on coral reefs across Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sunscreen pollution near tourist hot spots -- some reefs experiencing up to 6,000 visitors per day -- has proven to be a major factor in the destruction of coral reefs.
People swim along the southeast coast of Oahu near Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Hawaii, Dec. 31, 2013.is recommended by doctors and public health officials alike because it protects people from harmful UVA and UVB rays that are known to cause sunburn, premature skin aging and skin cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
"Sunscreens that humans use are in the category of 'local stresses of nearly global extent,' so are in a similar category as overfishing and nutrient pollution," said Dr. Pamela Hallock, a professor of Marine Science at the University of South Florida. Kona, a destination widely unknown prior to the 1950s, is now a popular hub for snorkeling and spotting sea turtles.
Scientists determined that Kahalu'u Bay in Hawaii had an oxybenzone concentration 262 times higher than the threshold for high risk situations.While efforts are underway on the local level, states and federal governments are only recently starting to take notice. Hawaii legislators last month introduced a bipartisan bill to ban sunscreens containing ingredients not considered"safe and effective" by the Food and Drug Administration.
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