Flak and Tan

Most sunscreens ineffective or pose a health risk, says group

Posted at 1:12 PM on 22 Jul 2008

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.

sources: Abilene Reporter News, The New York Times
straight to the database: Sunscreen Summary
see also, in Grist: Sunscreen-slathered swimmers contributing to coral bleaching, says study

ADVERTISING POLICY

Comments: (10 comments)

You are not logged in. Thus, you cannot post a comment. If you have a Gristmill account, log in below. If you don't have a Gristmill account, well, by all means go make one! Meet you back here in five.

Forget Sunscreen & Get A Tan

If 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.

by Wolverine at 2:47 PM on 22 Jul 2008

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 ...

by jabailo at 9:29 PM on 22 Jul 2008

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.

by CarolBear05 at 5:32 AM on 23 Jul 2008

misperceptions about sunscreen

Wolverine....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 and UVB.
* UVA rays have longer wavelengths and are recognized as a deep-penetrating radiation. Long-term exposure can damage the skin's connective tissues, leading to premature aging and playing a role in the development of skin cancer. This type of ray is used in tanning salons. UVA rays pass through window glass.
* UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and are primarily responsible for sunburn (think B=burning rays) and skin cancer. UVB rays are blocked by window glass.

So essentially some sunscreens block more of the "burning rays" while others block more of the deeper penetrating rays. Therefore, some may be effective in keeping you from getting burnt, but you are still being damaged...The sunscreen industry really does a good job with smoke and mirrors to confuse consumers. Also, the damage to corals is occuring, as per scientific research studies, it seems pretty plausible considering the close approximation to the reefs that people get. So cover up use little sunscreen and make sure to put it on well ahead of getting into the water so it absorbs.

by Eiger19 at 6:06 AM on 23 Jul 2008

what a crock

from 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.

by robertogreen at 9:14 AM on 23 Jul 2008

Response: What a crock

Robertogreen...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 and specific lotion. All SPF 45 are not created equal! My point is that you have to be an informed consumer. Buy the product that truly blocks the most UVA and UVB. The Environmental Working Group just released a great database of almost all sunscreens ranking them on their effectiveness and potential for toxicity. Check it out here: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/i ...

So I do believe everyone should wear sunscreen. I think there is MORE harm in not wearing it than wearing it. If I am in environmentally sensitive areas (e.g. coral reef) I will cover up with a longsleeve rash guard so that I only have to apply sunscreen to a minimal area on my body.

Prior to posting an immature "You're full of it" comment try to educate yourself and bring something more to the table.
Thanks

by Eiger19 at 10:28 AM on 23 Jul 2008

Sunblock & Coral

Carol,

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 year.

Eiger,

My focus and priority is protecting and restoring the natural environment from harms caused by humans. You're correct that people should limit their time in the sun regardless of whether they have tans, but it is not OK to poison the Earth with chemicals just because you want to vacation somewhere that you're not suited for. I'm beyond sick of the selfish attitude that you can do whatever you want, the Earth and everyone else be damned. Chemical sunscreens should be banned because they're poisoning the Earth. If you're a fair skinned redhead, you obviously don't belong in the tropics.

And yes, I'm aware of the hysterical crap that says that tans are bad, but I don't buy it. Too much sun exposure is bad, but you don't need much exposure to get a tan. I practically grew up on the beach in the summers when I was a kid, lived on the beach for a year in Florida renting Hobie Cats, and sailed from San Francisco to Tahiti and back via Hawaii, living on boats for months the entire time. I have no skin cancer, and the vast majority of sailors don't get it, either, even though they get a lot more sun exposure than average people. All you have to do is be sensible and stay out of the sun when you can, especially during mid day.

by Wolverine at 10:58 AM on 23 Jul 2008

Jabailo is RIGHT

Jabailo is RIGHT! You should ALWAYS judge the validity of AGW on the weather in your back yard. ALWAYS!

:-/

-CJ

by christophersj at 11:35 AM on 23 Jul 2008
[ Parent ]

here's another suggestion

Put 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.

by sje333 at 11:58 AM on 23 Jul 2008

Melanin is the protective chemical in skin

I 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 for you if you can tan or not. Some people flat out can't tan like my Mom. Melanin in the right quantities offers some or a lot of protection, but we are all different in how much we have in our bodies. Cover up if you have to, or worship Apollo with all your might if you can.

"For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide, to dispel the misery of the world." - Shantideva

by mtvyfan at 7:36 AM on 24 Jul 2008

The comments of Grist users reflect the opinions of those individuals only, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Grist, its staff, its board members, their psychotherapists, or their aestheticians. Got it?