Sunscreen Linked to Coral Damage

[SeaStar]

On the way to work I read a report in Geographical on research by Italian scientists that up to 10% of coral reefs are threatened by bleaching caused by chemicals in sunscreens.

It made me wonder…
Would you change your sunscreen given the research?
Does anyone know what sunscreens are safe and will not damage coral?
For Instructors/DM would you recommend to students they change sunscreen?
Or don’t you believe this type of research?


Full research for anyone interested: http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2008/10966/abstract.html

[James The Badger]

Originally Posted by SeaStar

On the way to work I read a report in Geographical on research by Italian scientists that up to 10% of coral reefs are threatened by bleaching caused by chemicals in sunscreensIl

I spent three years or so seeing first hand the effects of Coral bleaching, both due to increases in the water temperature (even for short periods) and due to more imidiate man made factors. The effects of sunscreen pale in insignificance to the damge caused by untreated sewerage discharge by nearly all of the Caribbean islands. Add to that dischage from boats, anchor damage, fuel spills, you name it.
Would I change my sunscreen? yup (so long as it was as good as a Tropicana SPF50+ stick)
Will it any difference if we all did? Probably not.

[milldog]

Indeed interesting stuff however think of the consequences if you don't use it?????



Graham