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Some 85 percent of 952 sunscreens tested are ineffective or contain potentially harmful chemicals, says this year's annual sunscreen review by the Environmental Working Group. Of 144 sunscreen products distributed by the top three leading brands -- Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena -- only one meets EWG's criteria for safety and efficacy. The group raises especial alarm about common ingredient oxybenzone, which a handful of animal studies have linked to endocrine disruption. Some dermatologists accuse EWG's sun-protection rating system of lacking scientific rigor, but the group says it extensively reviewed medical literature on sunscreens and stands behind its data. If you're rushing out to buy one of the 28 sunscreens that fall under both the Effective and Low Hazard rubric, buy a hat too -- dermatologists stress that sunscreen without other sun-avoidance precautions may not have much of an effect on skin cancer.
source: Abilene Reporter News, The New York Times
source: Sunscreen Summary
see also, in Grist:Sunscreen-slathered swimmers contributing to coral bleaching, says study
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Forget Sunscreen & Get A TanIf you're going on a vacation where you'll be exposed to the sun and you don't have a tan, go to a tanning salon the week before you leave and get one. It's much better for both you and the environment than using chemical sunblock, which not only is bad for you, but has been identified as one of the reasons for coral decline due to the chemicals. It also avoids the oily mess of sunscreens, which except for sticks I would not allow on my boat if I owned one.
Kent, WA: Not much call for it
Well, after two weeks of stunning weather here in Kent, WA we are back to...fall? winter? I just drove back from 24 Hour Fitness after Ski-Climbing my heart out to the sounds of "Animal Collective" and with the windows open, it was...freezing!!
So much for...well...you know...
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory ...
Really?If it's true that sunblock doesn't work at all, then how come you don't get burnt if you put it on and reapply it like you're supposed to? 30 minutes in the sun without sunblock and this irish girl is one red lobster. I agree they probably are bad chemically (have you read the back of the bottle? what is this stuff?) but to say it doesn't keep you from burning...well...that's just silly. And I find it hard to believe that the little bit of sunblock that's in the ocean (compared to the volumne of the ocean) could possibly be responsible for choral bleaching.
misperceptions about sunscreenWolverine....that is a terrible idea to go to a tanning salon prior to traveling. Haven't you heard that there is no such thing as a good tan. As recently as two weeks ago there was a new study that found that women's rates of Melanoma were increasing dramatically! You don't ever have to get burned to get skin cancer...you can just keep that bronze tan and you are damaging your skin.
CarolBear05....There are two different types of UV rays. UVA ...read more
what a crockfrom a family of people who have suffered from melanomas...
there is some sketchy, extremely prelimary science that says there MAY be problems associated with sunscreens. maybe. in no way certain beyond some very small percentage number.
there is copious evidence that using sunscreen prevents melanomas and sunburns that can be precursors.
this headline, blasted all over the world, will create massive damage and harm.
eiger19, almost every major manufacturer of sunscreen has added UVB and A protection. you are full of it.
Response: What a crockRobertogreen...I don't know if you will read this...I hope you do because I would like to clarify/inform you more about this. If your family has been suffering from melanomas it is very important that you understand sunscreens!
I am fair skinned red head and have read a lot of research about sunscreen for my own and my family's benefit.
True most sunscreens do block UVA and UVB, however the effectiveness of blocking UVA and UVB varies by manufacturer ...read more
Sunblock & CoralCarol,
See the study linked to below the article. Realize two things: when people who are not tan go into the water, they often go where there are coral. I've snorkeled on a number of reefs in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and there were many people snorkeling with me. So there's more than a "little bit" of sunblock that the reefs are exposed to. And remember, because the vast majority of these reefs are in the tropics, that exposure is 365 days a ...read more
Jabailo is RIGHTJabailo is RIGHT! You should ALWAYS judge the validity of AGW on the weather in your back yard. ALWAYS!
:-/
-CJ
here's another suggestionPut on some clothes, you hussies! Back in my day, we wore full-body swimming costumes!
But seriously, I take a tent to the beach, and I wear clothes unless I'm in the water (and when I'm in the water, I still wear my big floppy hat). I'm of german and irish decent, and I live in Florida. I counteract the huge increase in UV radiation by wearing clothes.
As for sunscreen's effectiveness, UVA and UVB rays are different. Preventing a sunburn does nothing to reduce skin cancer risks.
Melanin is the protective chemical in skinI know that the hole in the ozone layer is causing more radiation to reach the earth and higher UVA and UVB rays contribute to cancer, but I am still a sun worshipper with no drawbacks as of now (gimme a knock on wood!) My family history is German, English, Scottish, Irish and Choctaw. Having a ruddier complexion allows me to be able to get a gorgeous tan with little drawbacks.
Pretty much it's up to your genetics, I think, to decide ...read more