Lawmakers in Hawaii, are set to ban the sale of sunscreens that contain chemicals linked to the destruction of coral reefs.
The state legislature has moved to pass laws prohibiting lotions containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, believed by some scientists to contribute to coral bleaching.
A ban could be brought into place by January 2021, if the bill is approved by the state’s Democratic governor David Ige.
Around 3,500 sun protection products containing oxybenzone are currently available to consumers worldwide.
“Oxybenzone and octinoxate cause mortality in developing coral; increase coral bleaching that indicates extreme stress and cause genetic damage to coral and other marine organisms,” the bill states.
“These chemicals have also been shown to degrade corals' resiliency and ability to adjust to climate change factors and inhibit recruitment of new corals”.
The legislation warns chemical pollution in Hawaii’s waters was being “constantly refreshed and renewed” by swimmers and beach goers wearing sunscreen.
State senator Mike Gabbard, who proposed the ban, said the move was a “first-in-the-world law”.
“Hawaii is definitely on the cutting edge by banning these dangerous chemicals in sunscreens,” he told the Honolulu Star Advertiser.
“When you think about it, our island paradise, surrounded by coral reefs, is the perfect place to set the gold standard for the world to follow.
Lawmakers in Hawaii, are set to ban the sale of sunscreens that contain chemicals linked to the destruction of coral reefs.
The state legislature has moved to pass laws prohibiting lotions containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, believed by some scientists to contribute to coral bleaching.
A ban could be brought into place by January 2021, if the bill is approved by the state’s Democratic governor David Ige.
Around 3,500 sun protection products containing oxybenzone are currently available to consumers worldwide.
“Oxybenzone and octinoxate cause mortality in developing coral; increase coral bleaching that indicates extreme stress and cause genetic damage to coral and other marine organisms,” the bill states.
“These chemicals have also been shown to degrade corals' resiliency and ability to adjust to climate change factors and inhibit recruitment of new corals”.
The legislation warns chemical pollution in Hawaii’s waters was being “constantly refreshed and renewed” by swimmers and beach goers wearing sunscreen.
State senator Mike Gabbard, who proposed the ban, said the move was a “first-in-the-world law”.
“Hawaii is definitely on the cutting edge by banning these dangerous chemicals in sunscreens,” he told the Honolulu Star Advertiser.
“When you think about it, our island paradise, surrounded by coral reefs, is the perfect place to set the gold standard for the world to follow.
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