Harmful compounds in suncream damage fish, dolphins and kill coral reefs

Global warming maybe the biggest threat to the health of the oceans, but some of the chemicals we use aren’t helping either.

Coral reefs are among the world’s most productive and diverse ecosystems, sustaining about 25% of all marine life, including more than 4,000 species of fish.

But harmful compounds used in suncream to reflect the sun’s UV rays are damaging fish, sea urchins and dolphins, and killing coral reefs too.

Each year 14,000 tons of sunscreen ends up in coral reefs.

I­ngredients found in about half of sunscreens, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, are “incredibly toxic” to corals and other marine species.

Each year 14,000 tons of sunscreen ends up in coral reefs (Reuters)

In 2018, Hawaii became the first nation to ban sunscreens with these chemicals after scientists found that they were harmful to aquatic life.

A similar ban is in place on the Pacific island of Palau.

Thailand’s marine national parks have also just introduced a ban saying the chemicals “deteriorate reefs, destroy coral larvae, obstruct their reproductive system and cause coral reef bleaching”.

Finding an eco-friendly solution is a complex task and they are pricier than chemical sunscreens.

If your budget allows, start by looking for mineral sunscreens, which reflect the sun’s rays away from the surface of the skin like a mirror.

Scientists have found a cheap way to make lotion that won’t bleach coral reefs (Getty Images/WaterFrame RM)

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the most common mineral sun filters.

Also look for “non-nano” on packaging. This means it doesn’t contain uncoated nanoparticles which can be ingested by sea creatures.

Sunscreens which have been given a Land + Sea stamp of approval, like Tropic Great Barrier Sun Lotion, are pricey at £28 for 200ml.

But the end for toxic suncream could be near as Sheffield University scientists have found a cheap way to make lotion that won’t bleach coral reefs.

Zinc oxide is energy intensive and expensive to make, requiring heating it to more than 900C in a furnace.

The cheaper and environmentally-friendly way to make it could reduce the cost per kilo from over £26 to less than £8.50.

Kyra Sedransk Campbell, a research fellow at the university and one of three scientists working on project Nanomox, said: “The reality is existing chemical-based sunscreens damage fragile marine ecosystems, killing coral reefs.

"Bans are already in place but not fast enough.”