4 out of 5 sunscreens inadequate, study finds

[XemaSab]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

When temperatures soar past the century mark around the Bay Area, people head for the beach with all of the usual gear in tow. Think towels, Frisbees, coolers, umbrellas. And sunscreen.

Oceans of it.

Americans will spend more than $1.1 billion on sun protection products this year, a market that's grown by an annual rate of 10 percent since 2004.

But is it worth it?

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/10/BU6M11L7AG.DTL

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:banghead:

[TlalocW]

1. My indoor computer user lifestyle at last favors me on something

I'm so pinkish, I can't get a tan so my outdoor activities have always been regulated by how much shade I can be in while still wearing 45 SPF sunscreen.

TlalocW

[slackmaster]

2. Ha! Edward Gorham is a friend of mine from college days

He's been talking about this problem for decades.

His advice has always been "Wear a big hat and long sleeves."

[tblue]

3. I order my sunblock from Canada because what I want is sold there and in Europe, but not in the US.

I am pretty well read re: this subject and I really appreciate your post.

Sun protection is so important and many people, despite so many warnings, go unprotected day in and day out.

It's 106 degrees where I am, so I'm staying inside.

[crikkett]

4. Funny because common ingredients in sunscreen kill coral reefs adequately

Four commonly found sunscreen ingredients can awaken dormant viruses in the symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae that live inside reef-building coral species.

The chemicals cause the viruses to replicate until their algae hosts explode, spilling viruses into the surrounding seawater, where they can infect neighboring coral communities.

....

The researchers estimate that 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers annually in oceans worldwide, and that up to 10 percent of coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/01/080129-sunscreen-coral.html

you know what kills me? this article starts off with a claim that 'four commonly found ingredients' kill coral, but THEN FAILS TO LIST THE INGREDIENTS. so we can't do a damned thing about this news except fret, or forego the stuff altogether.

:banghead:

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. paraben, cinnama, benzophenone, and camphor

n the May 2008 issue of ScubaDiving is an article about sunscreen ingredients that awaken dormant viruses and kill the symbiotic algae that live in coral polyps. Without the algae, the coral bleaches and dies. The oil in sunscreens also floats on the surface of the water long enough to affect the flow of oxygen.

What to do? Choose sunscreens without derivatives of paraben, cinnamate, benzophenone, and camphor; these are chemical filters that absorb UV radiation. Instead, use sunscreens containing physical filters that scatter and reflect UV, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
http://www.bonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/366674/367303.html?1213983382

Another article:
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS74491+11-Feb-2008+PRN20080211

Choose Biodegradable Sunscreen to Save Coral Reefs
<snip>
The four harmful chemicals include three sun blockers -- octinoxate,
oxybenzone and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor -- and the preservative
butylparaben.
According to the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database
(skindeep.ewg.org), the reef-damaging ingredients are also linked to cancer,
allergic reactions, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity and reproductive harm
in humans.
What can an eco-conscious sun lover do? Ferreira, who grew up in Brazil
and now lives in Florida, offers these tips:
* Choose a sunscreen with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as active
ingredients. These minerals scatter and reflect UVA and UVB rays, while
petrochemicals absorb them.
* Read the label carefully -- many "natural" brands contain the
ingredients scientists say cause coral to bleach and die.
* Choose a biodegradable sunscreen whose ingredients break down in
seawater.
* Beware of sunscreens that claim to be waterproof. "In chemistry there is
one law: similar dissolves similar," Dr. Ferreira notes. "Sixty percent
of sunscreen is water. The truth is, when synthetic sunscreen comes in
contact with water, it breaks down and washes away."
* Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposure, and reapply every 45
minutes.
* Cover up with a hat or rash guard with an SPF rating.

[crikkett]

10. thank you thank you thank you

[kimmerspixelated]

12. Great post!

Along with paraben,etc. free sunscreens, one must also realize that 10-15 minutes of unblocked sunlight PREVENTS cancer. Vit. D is your friend.. Also, there are nutrients that can be increased that actually work from the inside to prevent burning, although a person shouldn't rely just on that. One nutrient to increase is-astaxathin, also good for the eyes!

And furthermore-the cancer-causing chemicals in sunblocks and the fact that the FDA has looked the other way for so long, is another reason to crack down on big corporations and their short-sited businessmen!

[David__77]

5. Better to avoid direct sunlight whenever possible.

You get enough from indirect sources, including sitting near a window. Especially for fair-skinned people, sun exposure is not a good thing except in tiny, tiny doses. Skin aging, cancer - no thanks.

[msongs]

6. pl;us they are full of hormones that enter your body....hromeones that dont belong in ppl nt

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. HAve been using Banana Boat for years

It's a 3

Damn! And all along thought SPF numbers were standards-based.
Learn something new everyday.

Now will be buying CALIFORNIA BABY SUNBLOCK STICK NO FRAGRANCE, SPF 30+
It's a 0, and one I can easily apply on the grandkids
It's hazard level beats out the cost ($12.99)
http://www.californiababy.com/no-fragrance-spf-30-sunblock-stick-half-oz.html

[sybylla]

13. Funny, Banana Boat has worked the best for my very pale Yankee husband

I'd like to know how they decide what works and what doesn't.

[qb]

8. Yikes! I just looked up oxybenzone on Wikipedia...

it is a photocarcinogen, so while it prevents sunburn it may also give you skin cancer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxybenzone
I think I will stop using Aveeno sunscreen.
Fortunately my kids' sunscreen (Banana Boat) uses avobenzone, which apparently is ok.

[here_is_to_hope]

11. I got to get this article out to all of those

pasty people who flock to my beach.

All of this sunscreen talk is a crock of shit in my opinion.

The more you use it, the more you need it.

Wiping chemicals all over yourself, silly humans.

[arikara]

14. I am fair skinned and red haired

and I never use it. I'd rather absorb the healthy vitamin D through my skin than a toxic stew of smelly chemicals. If I feel I'm getting too much sun, a long sleeved shirt and a hat work just fine.