Study: Sunscreen Damaging Coral Reefs Across The World
- 9 years ago
Scientists have determined that sunscreen is highly toxic to corals and likely contributing to coral reef destruction worldwide.
Sunscreen might be protecting you from harmful UV rays, but its use by swimmers is likely damaging the world's already-threatened coral reefs.
Researchers have discovered that oxybenzone, a compound typically found in sunscreen, is highly concentrated in the popular destination waters and reefs of Hawaii and the Caribbean. And oxybenzone quite simply kills corals.
It also damages the animals while in their larval stage—making it highly likely that such corals will suffer developmental deformities.
The discovery was made under laboratory conditions; researchers subjected adult coral cells and coral larvae to higher and highe
Sunscreen might be protecting you from harmful UV rays, but its use by swimmers is likely damaging the world's already-threatened coral reefs.
Researchers have discovered that oxybenzone, a compound typically found in sunscreen, is highly concentrated in the popular destination waters and reefs of Hawaii and the Caribbean. And oxybenzone quite simply kills corals.
It also damages the animals while in their larval stage—making it highly likely that such corals will suffer developmental deformities.
The discovery was made under laboratory conditions; researchers subjected adult coral cells and coral larvae to higher and highe