Good Morning Steemies!
Do you love taking a dip in the ocean? Do you love the smell of that coconutty sunscreen all over the beach scene? Well, we need to take a look at something going on in relation to our beach culture because it's having ill effects on the health of coral reef. Hawaii has started the movement.
Hawaii has recently taken a stand in the protection of the coral reef. It's the first state in the US to ban two ingredients found in the majority of body care products on the market in the US including sun screen called obxibenzone and octinoxate. The ban is to be in place by 2021.
Sunscreen is a product that is sold year round in every gas station, drug store and grocery store in America as a doctor-recommended daily measure in "responsibly" preventing skin cancer. Coppertone Sport Brand alone was reportedly worth $118,000,000 as the second most popular brand sold the in US in 2017.
Hawaii's exposure to sunscreen has grown since becoming the tourist hot spot we now know it to be, and with increased exposure, the health of our coral reef has declined according to the documentary "Reefs At Risk".
Currently, an amazing 14,000 tons of sunscreen are introduced to coral reef populated waters each year.
Coral doesn't appear as such, but it is actually a very important living animal with a job that serves our planet. The Coral Reef protects coastlines from the damaging effects of tropical storms and everyday wave movement. The Coral Reef also acts as a reliable habitat and shelter for organisms big, small and microscopic.
Unfortunately, we've experienced a loss of about 85% of the protective Coral Reef in the Caribbean and 99% of it in the Florida Keys. And, sadly, the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia which is actually considered the largest living thing on the planet has shrunk by 40%. Without it, we will see a steady decline of marine life.
The chemicals that have been banned from sunscreen in Hawaii are found in thousands of products that we use everyday here in the US. There are however, discovered to be very harmful to a living thing's endocrine system and are known for the increase of free radical damage to living cells. They are considered endocrine disrupters and toxicants. Compared to healthy coral, the sick coral will lose it's ability to reproduce and thrive. When it's sick, it takes on a sickly pale complexion.
These chemicals accumulate in fat tissue. They can be detected in your urine immediately following application to the skin or breathing in the contents from the aerosol sprays and are found inside the bodies of 97% of Americans according to the CDC.
The Environmental Working Group's site is linked below. There, you'll see if what you are using in your body care routine poses a risk to you and the environment. The site will also help you see what harmful chemicals are in your household cleaners, cosmetic products and the fabrics that make up your carpets and furniture inside your home.
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/?search=coppertone#.WvGxCCMrJT4
Hopefully, the truth about these unnecessary products will help you take back your health. Take good care!