Healthy For You And The Planet: Biodegradable & Ocean-Friendly Organic Sunscreens
One particular organism being affected is our coral reefs, which are among the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world. Scientists have reported that chemical-based sunscreens may be accountable for dying coral reefs. It has been reported that four widely used sunscreen ingredients activate viruses that kill the algae that feed off the coral.The four chemicals in question:
*Oxybenzone Benzophenone-3
*Octinoxate (Octyl methoxycinnamate)
*4-Methyl-Benzylidencamphor (4-MBC)
*Butylparaben (used to preserve the sunscreen product)
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According to the scientists up to 6,000 tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers every year.
Marine Scientists link sunscreen to coral bleaching. Coral is an aquatic, stone-like structure that has cracks and crevices inhabited by colorful symbiotic organisms called zooxanthanellae (an algae). Bleaching, generated by changing ocean temperatures, pollution, and bacterial pathogens, is the process in which hard coral loses its desirable tenants, leaving behind bare, white rock; without the algae, the coral turns white and dies.
To stop the destruction of our precious coral reefs, scientists are recommending that sunscreen users choose an organic sunblock with safe-chemical-free ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as active ingredients. They also recommend choosing a biodegradable sunscreen that easily breaks down in seawater without causing harm to our ecosystem.
Natural sunscreens made with biodegradable ingredients decompose naturally and easily with time, as opposed to the long-lasting effects of chemical-based sunscreens.