GETTING BURNED?
Effects of Sunscreen on Planetary Health
Policy
Recommendations
IMPROVED SUNSCREENS
Sunscreen manufacturers and
governmental regulating bodies
should shift their focus to
developing price-accessible
formulations using nontoxic,
ocean-safe active ingredients
such as zinc oxide and
titanium dioxide.
STRICTER REGULATIONS
The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration must provide and
enforce stricter regulations
around types and concentrations
of chemicals that are allowed in
over-the-counter sunscreen
products.
INCREASED PUBLIC
AWARENESS
A robust public-awareness
campaign is needed to educate
consumers and highlight both
the human health and
environmental benefits of
choosing the right sunscreen.
Background & Context
T
opical sunscreen combats wrinkles, sunspots, and cancers caused by
ultraviolet (UV) radiation by absorbing or reflecting sun rays. As
adverse health effects of UV exposure receive more attention,
manufacturers have made sunscreen a centerpiece of many personal
care products. Demand for topical sun protection has grown as healthcare
providers and cancer prevention organizations recommend sunscreen to
help prevent skin cancer.1 In 2016, The U.S. sun care market was valued
at over 1.95 billion dollars.2 `
While protection from UV rays is important for health-promotion, a
mounting body of research is demonstrating that many sunscreen products
are taking a serious toll on multiple aspects of personal and planetary
health.3,4 This brief will demonstrate several problems with contemporary
sunscreen products and policies in the U.S. and provide recommendations
for policy makers to address these shortcomings.
Environmental Effects
Coral reefs are diverse marine ecosystems, able to withstand damage from
intense maritime storms, whilst providing the scaffolding for many other
marine animals and organisms. Reefs are able to self-repair to some extent,
however they are extremely sensitive to temperature and acidic changes.
Due to changes in ocean temperature and the introduction of human-
made chemicals, reefs around the world have been showing signs of
extreme stress in recent years, most notably in the form of coral
bleaching.5 Several chemicals commonly found in sunscreen (oxybenzone
and octinoxate) are major contributors to this phenomenon.6 Both because
of compromised coral reefs and direct effects of the chemicals in
sunscreen, marine life and marine ecosystems are suffering.
Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs? National Ocean Service website7
 Human Health Effects
Humans may suffer consequences from exposure to
photoprotective molecules in sunscreen. A recent study
revealed that four common sunscreen chemicals
(oxybenzone, octocrylene, ecamsule, avobenzone)
absorb into the bloodstream quicker and in higher
concentrations than are approved by the FDA.8 Chronic
exposure to these chemicals may contribute to the
development of disease.8 Taken together, this
information demonstrates three important points about
the production and use of sunscreen in the US:
•Commonly used chemical sunscreens protect
against skin cancer
Cancer
•The primary ingredients in sunscreen are
absorbed into the body at much higher levels
Absorption than allowed by FDA regulations
•The health effects of these chemicals are
understudied, and thus effects from chronic
Chronic
Exposure
exposure are unknown
A “One Health” Analysis
The multifactorial effects of sunscreen on humans,
animals, and the physical environment require a holistic,
multi-level evaluation and response. As sunscreen use is
an anthropocentric behavior, any environmental
intervention must consider the psychosocial, economic,
and cultural factors contributing to the issue.
The risks associated with sunscreen exemplify “One
Health,” the philosophy of human-animal-environment
interconnection.9 For example, sunscreen has been
found to linger in water near swimming beaches
throughout summer months;10 sunscreen buildup could
harm eco-tourism and marine ecosystems. Eliminating
harmful chemicals from commercially-available
sunscreens would mitigate human exposure during
heavy-use situations such as beachgoing while
simultaneously reducing harm to reefs. In this case, the
actions that would be most beneficial to environmental
health - using other sunscreens that do not contain
oxybenzone and octinoxate - may also provide the
biggest health benefit to human beings.
Policy Overview
In the 1970s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
began regulating sunscreen as over-the-counter (OTC)
drugs, subjecting them more rigorous safety testing and
evaluation than products labeled as “cosmetic.” This
approach contrasts to regulatory standards in many
countries where sunscreen products are regulated as
cosmetics.11
The Sunscreen Innovation Act (SIA) in 2014 was passed
to provide new ways to review the safety of OTC
sunscreen ingredients.12 Prior to this law, the FDA had
not reviewed or approved the active ingredients in
sunscreen.
While the SIA has the potential to regulate what is
allowable in sunscreens, the oversight of the FDA has
been minimal, chemical levels remain largely
unregulated. Given the recent findings of the quantity of
chemicals that are leaching into bloodstreams
(REFERENCE 8), some consumers and environmental
activists are calling for the FDA to make sunscreens that
are proven to be safe for people, sea animals, and their
ocean habitats more available.
While federal regulations remain dissatisfying, some
states have pass proactive regulations to limit the effects
of these harmful chemicals. (Figure 1.13–16)
Figure 1: Proactive Sunscreen Regulations
Hawaii
• Effective January 1, 2019
• Banned sunscreen with oxybenzone and octinoxate
• Protect coral reefs and marine life
Key West, Florida
• Effective July 1, 2019
• Banned oxybenzone and octinoxate
• Protect coral reefs and marine life
• Compliant with Endangered Species Act
Palau (Pacific Island)
• Effective January 1, 2020
• Bans 10 chemicals, including oxybenzone and
octinoxate
• Protect coral, fish, and invertebrates
 GETTING BURNED? Effects of Sunscreen on Planetary Health
Policy Recommendations
Improved Sunscreens
Comprehensive research on the biological and
environmental effects of the chemicals in sunscreen is of
the utmost importance. In order to create more
comprehensive regulations and alternative sun
protection, further research is needed.
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are promising options to
replace the harmful chemicals. Studies have
demonstrated higher efficacy than traditional options,
showing safety for marine ecosystems, no absorption
through the skin, and minimal impacts on human
health.3,6,20–22 To encourage innovation and increased
accessibility of these ingredients, the FDA should fund
studies evaluating these alternatives.
Getty Images
Stricter Regulations
At a minimum, the FDA needs to provide stricter
regulations around the levels of chemicals that are
allowed in current products, holding companies
accountable in adhering to these regulations. Moving
forward, the FDA needs to update regulations,
restrictions, and bans on harmful chemicals. As new
research is released, and healthier options become
available, substances like oxybenzone can be banned and
replaced.
Companies producing sun protection should move
towards production of products that do not contain
Hanna, Magnusson, Abbey-Lambertz
these chemicals. Mineral based sunscreens and sun
protective clothing are excellent options in terms of
expanding the market with safer options. Currently these
products tend to be high in price, and therefore
inaccessible to much of the public. In order to incent
companies to produce these products, the government
should provide subsidies to assist in covering any
overhead cost, which will get sunscreen companies to
buy-in.
Increased Public Awareness
New policies must be carefully crafted; public perception
of sunscreen as a cause of negative health and
environmental impacts will likely lead to a decrease in
sunscreen use.17 It is estimated that only 15% of men and
30% of women use sunscreen on a regular basis;
therefore any policies implemented need to promote the
use of safe sun protection, not disincentivize overall
sunscreen use.18
We recommend a comprehensive and robust public
education campaign to raise awareness implications of
chemical sunscreen use. This effort should be targeted at
children and public schools in addition to adults using a
One Health framework to explicate the positive feedback
loop of anthropocentric impacts on the natural world,
the degradation of the environment, and negative
human health outcomes. Promoting a deep and
pervasive understanding of climate change may knit
together the fractured pieces of the sunscreen
conversation and promote the creation of holistic,
sustainable, multilevel solutions.
Example of Public Awareness Information
May 2019
References
1. American Cancer Society. Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/skin-cancer/prevention-and-early-
detection.html. Published 2019.
2. Grand View Research. U.S. Sun Care Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report, By Product (Self-tanning, After sun, Sun protection),
Competitive Landscape, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/us-sun-care-market.
Published 2018.
3. DiNardo J, Downs C. Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone/benzophenone-3. J
Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(1):15-19. doi:10.1111/jocd.12449
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2019.
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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2018/bills/SB2571_.HTM. Published 2018.
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https://www.npr.org/2018/11/02/663308800/palau-in-western-pacific-is-first-nation-to-ban-reef-toxic-sunscreens. Published 2018.
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