Sunscreen Chemicals Are Building Up in the Ocean

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Sunscreen chemicals washing into oceans pose hidden dangers for marine life, with 35 kilograms entering waters daily at beaches visited by 1,000 people.

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Scientists examined 110 research papers revealing sunscreen sales will reach $13.64 billion by 2026, releasing 14,000 tonnes of UV filters into coral reefs yearly.

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UV filter chemicals spread through ocean currents globally, contaminating 95% of wastewater and 86% of water bodies from tourist spots to Antarctica.

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Modern sunscreens combine 8 different UV-blocking chemicals making up 15% of bottle contents, with benzophenones raising concerns about toxicity.

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Beach showers at Hawaii's Hanauma Bay showed high sunscreen residue in sand, while treated wastewater used in farming carries chemicals into streams.

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Typical water treatment plants fail to filter these chemicals, leading to continuous buildup that affects marine food chains consumed by 4.3 billion people.

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European authorities investigate benzophenone-3 as potential hormone disruptor, while scientists push for urgent research on long-term ocean impacts

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Dr. Mahasweta Saha warns about adding new chemicals to already stressed marine ecosystems, calling for careful evaluation of substances entering oceans.

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