In recent years, sunscreen manufacturers, chemical companies, and sunscreen lobby groups have come under scrutiny due to alarming reports about the potential health effects of chemical ingredients commonly found in sunscreens. These reports raise concerns about skin irritation, hormonal disruption, fertility problems, and even skin cancer, all attributed to the chemicals readily absorbed into the user's body. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tasked with regulating sunscreens and their ingredients, but its approach and response to these issues have been far from satisfactory. This comprehensive article will dive into the troubling practices of sunscreen manufacturers and chemical companies, as well as the harmful effects of chemical sunscreens on human health and the environment.

FDA's Lackluster Oversight and the 20-Year Request Ignored

In 1999, the FDA made a crucial request to sunscreen manufacturers: conduct studies on the absorption levels of the most common active ingredients in chemical sunscreens. Shockingly, for the next two decades, the sunscreen industry showed apathy in response to this request, effectively evading any scrutiny of their products' safety and efficacy. This inaction highlights the lack of transparency and accountability within the sunscreen manufacturing sector.

FDA's Startling Research on Chemical Sunscreen Ingredients

Fed up with the sunscreen makers' inaction, the FDA took matters into its own hands and conducted research on chemical sunscreen ingredients. The results were disturbing, as six active ingredients used to filter out harmful ultraviolet rays were found to be absorbed into the subjects' bodies at alarming levels, far exceeding the FDA's threshold of concern. Even more concerning, some of these chemicals remained in the body for up to three weeks after sunscreen use had stopped.

Questionable Common Chemical Sunscreen Ingredients

Among the six chemicals that raise concerns, oxybenzone stands out as a hormone disruptor, along with avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octocrylene, and octisalate. These chemicals have been found in breastmilk, indicating potential risks beyond just the sunscreen wearer's health. After applying sunscreen just once, blood concentrations of oxybenzone were more than 180 times the FDA's level of concern, soaring to over 500 times the threshold after four days of regular use.

Alarming Findings on Oxybenzone

While the FDA hasn't categorically labeled the UV filters in chemical sunscreens as unsafe, the presence of elevated levels of these chemicals in users' bodies demands more rigorous research. Oxybenzone, in particular, has been linked to negative outcomes, including potential effects on female breast development, infant birth weight, and adolescent males' sperm function. The lack of a definitive causal relationship does not negate the urgency for further investigation.

FDA's Ignored Requests for Testing

Despite the FDA's insistence on obtaining more data from sunscreen manufacturers regarding potential threats posed by their products, the requests were continually ignored. Even a new deadline set for November 2019 was allowed to pass without any meaningful action from the industry. The situation worsened when the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act became law in March 2020, effectively resetting sunscreen regulations back to their ineffective state from 1999, leaving the industry largely unregulated.

Environmental Impacts of Chemical Sunscreens

The harmful effects of chemical sunscreens extend beyond human health; they are detrimental to the environment, particularly coral reefs. An estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen wash off into the oceans annually, posing a grave threat to coral reefs worldwide. Popular destinations such as Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Hawaii, and the US Virgin Islands are particularly vulnerable to this pollution. Chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate have been proven to contribute to coral bleaching, leading to the destruction of these crucial ecosystems.

The Advent of Reef-Safe Sunscreens

Thankfully, some steps have been taken to address the environmental damage caused by chemical sunscreens. In 2018, Hawaii took a pioneering stance by banning sunscreens containing oxybenzone and/or octinoxate, a measure aimed at protecting their fragile coral reefs. This legislation came into effect on January 1, 2021, showing that there are viable alternatives to chemical sunscreens that prioritize both human health and environmental preservation.

The damning revelations about sunscreen manufacturers, chemical companies, and the sunscreen lobby demand immediate action from regulatory authorities and consumers alike. The FDA's lack of stringent oversight, the ignorance of critical research requests, and the harm caused to both human health and the environment indicate a pressing need for change. The onus is now on consumers to educate themselves about the potential risks associated with chemical sunscreens and opt for safer alternatives that protect not only their skin but also the health of our oceans and coral reefs. By demanding accountability from the sunscreen industry and supporting reef-safe alternatives, we can work towards a safer, healthier future for all.

By Alexander Brosda, CEO Sokörpe Laboratories