This document discusses the impacts of chemical sunscreens on the environment and human health. It presents data showing increasing levels of various sunscreen chemicals in water sources over time. A study is cited that detects 12 common sunscreen chemicals in surface waters around the world, with some chemicals detected even in the Arctic. Sunscreen chemicals can kill coral within 14 days and persist in the environment for years. Another study shows bioaccumulation of sunscreen chemicals in fish tissue. Sources of oxybenzone and octinoxate pollution are identified. Finally, melanoma rates in the US have increased substantially over the last 40 years. Mineral sunscreens are presented as an alternative.

1. Joe DiNardo – Toxicologist
May 17, 2018
Impact of
Chemical
Sunscreens on
the
Environment
and Us

2. Hanauma Bay – Honolulu,HI

3. Water Levels – Maui, Hi
2 Year Increase
213%

4. Water Levels – Maui, Hi
2 Year Increase
362%

5. Occurrence, distribution and ecological risk assessment of
multiple classes of UV filters in surface waters from different
countries – Tsui et al 2014
Compound Hong Kong
(n=60)
Tokyo
(n=8)
New York
(n=6)
Los Angeles
(n=4)
Shantou
(n=4)
Chaozhou
(n=3)
Bangkok
(n=2)
Arctic
(n=14)
4-Methylbenzlidene
Camphor
(4-MBC)
173 - 379 LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD
Avobenzone
(BMDM)
24 - 721 78 - 104 70 - 87 67 - 109 53 - 100 LOD 36 - 38 18 - 70
Oxybenzone
(Benzophenone-3)
39 - 5429 24 - 86 23 - 178 227 - 601 55 - 188 37 - 49 86 - 116 17 - 33
2,4-
Dihydroxybenzone
(Benzophenone-1)
82 - 135 52 - 95 <LOD - 74 100 - 117 22 - 58 LOD 127 - 166 2.5 - 5
Sulisobenzone
(Benzophenone-4)
54 - 389 71 - 136 89 - 574 LOD LOD <LOD - 49 80 - 95 LOD
Dioxybenzone
(Benzophenone-8)
64 - 117 76 - 96 72 - 92 29 - 96 LOD LOD 63 - 71 2 - 3.3
Octinoxate
(EHMC)
89 - 4043 46 - 95 89 - 150 91 - 138 52 - 78 <LOD - 79 88 - 95 25- 66
Octisalate
(EHS)
61 - 1030 71 - 95 LOD 53 - 120 LOD 121 - 128 28 - 56 LOD
Homosalate
(HMS)
66 - 2812 65 - 110 91 - 114 142 - 270 LOD LOD 29 - 59 LOD
Isoamyl p-
Methoxycinnamate
(IAMC)
63 - 173 LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD
Octocrylene
(OC)
103 - 6812 87 - 108 117 - 128 145 - 377 75 - 107 36 - 102 153 - 205 26 - 31
Octyl Dimethyl
PABA (ODPABA)
95 - 182 LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD
Concentrations (ng/L = ppt) and detection frequencies of 12 UV filters in surface water samples from different cities. Conc.: (median-maximum); DF:
detection frequencies (calculated by dividing the number of positive detections by the total number of samples from each location); LOD: limit of detection.

8. Chemicals Can
Kill in 14 Days
or Less, But Can
Hang Around
Up to 5 Years or
More

9. Photos courtesy of Dr. Phil Dustan
Florida Keys
1975 to 2014 Massive Coral Death

13. • BP3 = oxybenzone. BP1, 4HB, & 4DHB are metabolites of oxybenzone. OC =
octocrylene; EHMC = methoxycinnamate; ng/g = parts per billion
 This is the edible part of the fish
154
13/30
Bioaccumulation of UV filters in fish
Muscle analysis

16. Sources of Oxybenzone/Octinoxate
Plastic Bottles UV Coatings/Adhesives
Fish Based Live Stock Meal Fish Based Fertilizers
Plastic Bags Printing Inks
Pharmaceutical Agricultural

19. American Cancer Society – Siegel et al 2018
Trends in Incidence Rates for Selected Cancers by Sex, United States
Over the last 40 years, Melanoma cases have increased by 270% in men and 122% in women

20. Mineral Sunscreens