SUNSCREEN SAFETY CONCERNS (EVALUATING HEALTH IMPACTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS)
Sunscreen has been endorsed by dermatologists, as well as health agencies as a protective gear from the sun’s UV rays that are notorious for causing skin cancer, sunburn, and early skin wrinkle.
However, issues relating to sunscreen safety have recently been raised and this has been the subject of discussion among major researchers, consumers as well as the relevant country’s regulatory bodies.
Such considerations concern the possible harm to the human body, which some chemical components of sunscreens can cause as well as adverse effects of these ingredients on the marine environment.
On the positive side, sunscreen, and more specifically the active ingredients present in it, provides a great deal of skin protection against uv rays; at the same time, a closer regard of its different aspects and its safety is important for consumers to avoid dangerous or even fatal effects of skin damage from uv radiation.
Currently, one of the biggest concerns related to the safety of sunscreen is one of the chemical components, which is oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone and homosalate which are used in chemical-based sunscreens. These ingredients work by filtering out the ultraviolet radiation and turning the energy on the skin into heat, thus avoiding skin burning.
But, these chemicals have been proven to get absorbed into the skin then into the bloodstream hence leaving much to be desired when it comes to their effects on human beings.
A 2020 cross-sectional study of the systemic absorption of chemical sunscreen carried out by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that;
some chemical ingredients accumulated in the blood stream for several days after application in high concentrations than the permissible thresholds.
This though does not point to definite harm however has escalated the emergence of more awareness and demands for further studies with regard to the consequences of constant exposure to these chemicals.
There are still such issues as possible endocrine disruptor chemicals some of which – are believed to mimic hormones, disrupting or skewing the body’s hormonal balance.
Disruption of endocrine or hormonal function is one of the main effects on health as a result of chemical sunscreens.
Another malign ingredient under inspection is oxybenzone, which research on animals and cell cultures has hinted at interfering with the endocrine system.
The endocrine system is involved in the bloodstream hormones that are involved in growth and development, metabolism and reproduction, as well as the moods.
Some scientists have expressed their worry over the fact that oxybenzone poses risks to fertility, thyroid problems, developmental problems and many others especially when used for a long term by women of child bearing ages or pregnant women.
It should also be pointed out, though, that some of these risks are not definitively proved and often identified on the basis of exposures to doses considerably higher than would be encountered by people in normal life.
The risks of endocrine disruption are still speculative and therefore there needs to be further investigations whether repeated daily use of sunscreens is any dangerous for human health under normal circumstances.
One issue which raises a question is the impact of sunscreen on corals and other sea organisms. Among others which are quite toxic to the coral reefs and the marine life at large are oxybenzone and octinoxate.
When swimmers put on their lotions before they go and swim, then these chemicals are washed off and end up in the sea.
Experiments show that even very low concentrations of oxybenzone lead to coral bleaching and reduced health and growth of the coral, which are diverse and important marine structures that support life and protect coasts.
While coral bleaching destroys the mutually beneficial relationship between corals and algae, the coral may expel the algae, and die if the pressure continues. This has affected several places many of which include, Hawaii, Palau, and the us virgin islands banned sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate.
The effects of chemical sunscreens on the environment make mineral options, such as natural mineral-based sunscreens, a better-suited protection method for skin.
Sunscreens containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are generally safer for human and environmental use than other forms of mineral.
Unlike formulated or organic sunscreens that effectively neutralize UV radiation, the mineral type of sunscreen will attempt to erect a shielding layer to the UV radiation while bailing out.
These ingredients are reliable and reputed by most committees or organizations as safe and efficient since they do not penetrate into the skin and have no effects on the endocrine system. Furthermore, they are known as ‘no harm’ to reef since they do not harm the coral reefs in the similar way that chemical contents do.
However, there are some drawbacks regarding these mineral sunscreens; it will result in whitish layering on the skin and may not look appealing. Due to this realization toward sunscreen safety, the clarification between mineral and non-mineral based sunscreen has emerged and consumers are searching for refined ones.
Due to insufficient evidence on some components of the sunscreen, regulations and consumers’ preferences have changed.
For example, in the current case, EU has provided higher standards of acceptable levels of certain UV filters in sunscreens than the US on safety grounds.
The FDA has also urged manufactures to conduct more studies on the ingredients used in sunscreen as most of them were approved in the 80s, from studies conducted on short term effects of the products.
In June 2019, the Trump administration’s FDA initiated a new rule that would add a new requirement for manufacturers to produce more data on active ingredients in order to prove safety—especially regarding how the substances are absorbed into the bloodstream, and the long-term impact.
Those regulatory measures are intended for the consumer protection and clear direction to sunscreen manufacturer, to make sure that offered sunscreen products have high efficacy and no hazardous effects.
To address, these concerns, the knowledge and attitude of the consumer with regards to the use of sunscreen are changing.
People are increasingly looking for sunscreens with reef-safe branding or choosing mineral sunscreen because of the chemicals used.
Also, some dermatologists advise clothing appropriate for the sun, finding shade during the periods when the sun is strongest and avoiding sun exposure at that time.
As much as sunscreen is an essential product to use in avoiding skin cancer and sun damage, these other techniques may help stay away from over-reliance on this product in order to combat probable negative effects on health besides the environment.
To sum up, sunscreen is an effective way to guard skin against UV harm, however chemical components are questionable for human health.
For this reason, the potential health effects, specifically endocrine disruption and damage to coral reefs, have made the public demand for healthier and more environmentally friendly sun protection products.
Of particular interest is the use of mineral sunscreens; however, more data concerning the safety profiles of all the products’ ingredients, including the long term data, are still required.
With this awareness simplifying and growing, consumers are now looking for food products that pose no threat to their health and at the same time, the environment. From discussions with researchers, regulatory bodies and consumers it will be possible to monitor the effects of sunscreen products in the future of the need for safe and sustainable sun protection.
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