Last year, the Thai authorities banned the use of some sunscreen due to the fact that they supposedly contribute to the discoloration of coral reefs. We decided to check whether the creams for tanning are dangerous for sea flora and fauna.
Media ("Vesti.fm", "East-Media", "New Izvestia") They wrote about the negative impact of sunscreen on corals and before their ban in Thailand. When this news appeared, it immediately published a number of Russian and foreign publications (Lenta.ru, Interfax, BBC, "Fontanka" et al.). Glossy magazines (Glamor, Vogue, Blueprint) They began to place collections of environmentally friendly means for tanning and leadership on how to choose them. Tips on how to protect yourself from the sun and not harm nature, appeared On sites for divers. Wrote about this problem and in popular science publications.
The Thai authorities really banned the use of some sunscreen on the beaches. The ban touched creams and lotions containing oxibenzone, otininzate, enzacacen (4-methylbenzilidamphora) and butyl paraben. Moreover, the fine will greatly hit the violator, the amount reaches 100,000 baht (almost 245,000 rubles at the rate for February 2022). Are these funds really so dangerous? Thailand believes that yes, and not only there: a similar ban is already valid on Hawaii (and there it is forbidden not only use, but also the sale of such funds) and the island Palau.
These fears are scientifically justified. In 2008, Italian scientists Spent A number of experiments in the natural environment (in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, as well as in the Red Sea) and in the laboratory and found that even the minimum content of the substances that make up the sunscreens and lotions, leads to the rapid discoloration of corals. These substances make corals more susceptible to high temperatures. And just the effect of too warm water is the cause of bleaching.