Hawaii to Ban Sale of Sunscreens Linked to Coral Reef Damage

Hawaii will become the first state to ban sunscreens containing two chemicals believed to damage coral reefs, after Governor David Ige signed legislation on Tuesday.

The bill, which takes effect in 2021, bans the sale and distribution of oxybenzone and octinoxate, common UV-filtering ingredients found in chemical sunscreens.

Both substances have been found by scientists to be toxic to coral reefs and can increase bleaching, the prime cause of coral mortality worldwide. In addition to being a major tourist attraction, coral reefs are the world’s most productive marine ecosystems and protect coastlines from storm surge.

According to the bill, “environmental contamination of oxybenzone and octinoxate persists in Hawaii’s coastal waters, as the contamination is constantly refreshed and renewed every day by swimmers and beachgoers.”

Sunscreens containing these ingredients would only be available for those with a prescription. Physical sunblock will still be available to residents and tourists looking to protect their skin, which contain minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to physically block UVA and UVB rays from damaging skin.

“Studies have documented the negative impact of these chemicals on corals and other marine life,” Ige said in a statement. “Our natural environment is fragile, and our own interaction with the earth can have lasting impacts. This new law is just one step toward protecting the health and resiliency of Hawaii’s coral reefs.”

Ige said the state would also implement other measures to protect coral, including fighting invasive species, pollution from land runoff and climate change.