Applying sunscreen is essential to avoid ultraviolet (UV) radiation – and consequently solar burns, premature aging and skin cancer. But if the skin is protected on the one hand, aquatic organisms can be affected, including those in the food chain.
The bathing season starts this Sunday with maximum temperatures more than 30ºC in various regions of the country. The heat invites to extend the body to the sun and, as everyone knows, the use of sunscreen is indispensable. However, not all protectors are the same: you need to read the label to, besides the skin, also protect the environment.
“Sunscreens are a set of chemical, man -made compounds to protect the skin. Any compound created by man placed in the environment is not a benefit, everyone has a negative impact, although in different measures “warns Eva Iñiguez, master in marine biology, who is currently doing a doctorate on the theme in Mare-Madeira (Mare is a marine research center that involves several universities).
Heard by the agency Lusa, the biologist explains that No sunscreen is harmless to the environment. There is a belief that inorganic (minerals) are less aggressive for the environment than organic (chemicals), but “it won’t be so,” although some may be less bad.
Chemicals to avoid
It is important to read the labels: the chemicals Oxibenzonaalso known for being an endocrine deregulation, and octinoxato They are compounds especially harmful to aquatic organisms.
Many studies show that Oxibenzona can cause coral bleaching, which happens when the polyps colonies that form corals expel the algae that live with them.
I estimate that Between six and 14,000 tons of sunscreen, containing between one to 10% oxybenzone, are released in areas of coral reef each year.
Studies cited by Eva Iñiguez indicate that on the French Atlantic coast Discharged more than eight pounds of protective creams a day on the back of Hawaii (which has prohibited solar protectors with oxybenzone and octinoxate) 36 kilos a day, and in the Mexican Caribbean, one of the most coral zones, almost 230 tons of protectors per year are dumped.
Also in an interview with Lusa, the environment engineer Rita Maurício, a teacher at Nova FCT and Mare researcher leaves another number: “On a beach with a thousand visitors are discharged 35 kilos of compounds.”
Food chain is also affected
Also professor at Nova FCT and Mare researcher, Marta Martins, specialist in Marine Pollution and Ecotoxicology, coordinator of the Master in Marine Living Resources, explains that Studies that indicate that protective compounds can affect aquatic organisms, for example at the level of reproduction, central nervous system or liver level.
And then, adds, They may also have effects on microalgae, plankton, which will affect the food chain, namely the more susceptible juvenile larvae and fish.
Rita Maurício explains that If an (bioaccumulative) ammoil accumulates a higher concentration and if the human being consumes it is consuming this compound, which is already the human being for the placement on the skin.
Also the solar protectors with Zinc oxide and titanium oxide can enter the food chain: These nanoparticles are not assimilated by humans, but by aquatic organisms, as with microplastics.
The effects of nanoparticles are not yet fully known, but the expert remembers there are effects that may arise later or even in future generations.
Chemicals always end up in the sea (even if you don’t go to the beach)
The compounds of solar protectors are taken to the ocean When people will swim, but when absorbed by the skin they go out in the urine and feces, ended up discharged by wastewater treatment stations (WWTP).
Only the WWTP was not designed to retain this kind of compounds and they They end up in the rivers and oceans.
So, he explained, Marine organisms end up affected in two ways: directly by the waste of bathers protectors on sunny days, and indirectly for the waters that the WWTP do not filter throughout the year.
Marta Martins argues that priority should be given to the marketing of protectors with less toxicity or even toxic zero. And considered “A little dizzy” than solar protectors with a lower level of contamination are more expensive.
A Application of protectors, caveat, is not at stake. What is at stake is the choices. “But only an informed citizen can make choices.”
How to apply sunscreen correctly?
In addition to the care to be taken with chemicals harmful to the environment the environment, you need to choose well the solar poter:
Regardless of skin tone, It is recommended to be Stepter Largo Protector (UVA and UVB, two types of ultraviolet radiation), with protection of at least 30 factorand renew its application every two hours.
Children and light -skinned people, with an antecedents of skin cancer or in high UV radiation contexts should always use protection index 50 or higher.
Even when it is cloudy, although sunlight appears to be lower and the temperature is not so high, UV radiation crosses the clouds and are equally harmful to health.
And also in winter it is necessary to use protector in exposed areas, as cumulative sun exposure contributes to lifelong skin damage.
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