Chemical Sunscreen Concentrations Found in Carp
by Georgia Collings
Fish are absorbing the chemicals from our sunscreen, and it’s making them sick.
According to a recent journal article from the National Research and Development Institute for Industrial Ecology, fish can and do absorb high concentrations of the chemical benzophenone-3, otherwise known as oxybenzone, from the water they swim in. This is highly concerning due to the fact that this chemical enters our waterways primarily as a runoff from the chemical sunscreens people wear on their skin.
“UV-filters, such as oxybenzone (BP-3), have attracted researcher attention in recent years due to its capacity to interfere with the proper functioning of the endocrine system and its widespread presence in the aquatic environment.” – Chiriac et al.
The figure above shows how oxybenzone in water that European Carp were living in built up in various body systems over a period of around 3 months. It was most clearly present in the fish’s intestines, skin and gonads (reproductive organs). The study showed that the build-up increased over time, and that it impacted the functioning of the organs it was most clearly present in. Worryingly, this chemical build-up is still present in the fish when they are caught, cleaned and eaten by millions of people around the world. By eating fish exposed to chemical sunscreen runoff, humans are exposing their own bodies to the same dangerous chemicals. These startling results could have an impact on further revisions to regulations around sunscreen.
Not only is chemical sunscreen damaging our ocean flora and fauna, this new study has undoubtedly proven that we are risking our own health by eating chemical-laden marine life.
This shows that it’s time for change. Here at ZnOrganics we have created lines of 100% organic, 100% vegan sunscreens which DO NOT contain any of the dangerous chemicals found in sunscreens (including oxybenzone) which are rapidly harming us and our oceans. Our active ingredient is natural, non-nano zinc oxide which provides a brilliant, broad spectrum barrier to dangerous UV rays. However, the runoff from our sunscreen has no negative impact on oceans, sea grass, marine life or corals as all ingredients are naturally occurring minerals and plant oils.
Save the oceans, save your skin. It’s time to switch to a mineral sunscreen.