Chemicals in Sunscreens
Don’t Forget to Read the Labels on your Sun Protection Products.
Some of the products used to protect against skin cancer and photo-aging may not be protecting consumers at all and may be a threat to our health and the environment.
Whether the sun is shining or peeking through clouds on snow-white days, doctors encourage people to wear sunscreen all year round. The Canadian Cancer society says melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is on the rise. Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute says that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US with one million diagnosed annually.
Some Background Research
Wearing sunscreen has become an important part of people’s daily routine. However, there has been growing concern over the safety of some of the chemicals used in these topical products. Some of the chemicals used in sunscreens are feared because they are said to enter our bloodstream through ongoing topical use and may have hazardous effects once they accumulate, either in our bodies or the environment.
Ingredients like Benzophenone, also known as Oxybenzone, are often found in cosmetic products, especially in sunscreens, due to their ability to block UV rays. There has been concern with this ingredient because of allergic reactions in people, and studies showing its accumulation in the body through skin absorption. Tests conducted at the University of Goettingen in Germany indicate that Benzophenone is a possible endocrine disruptor, showing estrogenic activity in the body. (Schlecht C. et al. October 2006)
Others Ingredients like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, often found in products to block UV rays, are concerning because they are often used in nano particles. These miniscule particles are making scientists worry, says a recent survey done at the University of Wisconsin-Madison published in Nature Nanotechnology. (November 2007) They are worried over this minute particle's ability to penetrate the skin, and while more research is being done, they also agree there haven’t been enough studies to recognize the safety of using nanotechnology in personal care products.
Some other chemicals that have been cause for concern in sunscreens are featured by the Environmental Working Group on their website. They published a list of chemicals and ratings of how hazardous they are to people and the environment. Research conducted by the EWG on the safety of sunscreens concluded that out of 873 sunscreens tested, only 17% gave adequate sun protection, while 83% worked poorly or didn’t work at all.
News on Regulations
This past August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finally proposed to regulate sunscreen products by designing a labelling system to advise consumers of how much protection they give against UVA rays, since most sunscreens already offer protection against UVB rays. The products would be labelled with four stars on them, with the highest amount giving the best protection against the sun. However, the final amendments haven’t been finalized yet, and dates have been pushed till the end of this year.
Although regulations in Canada are slowly changing with last year’s passing of a law that enforces ingredient labelling on all personal care products, under the Chemicals Management Plan, there have been few tests or bans on chemicals.
More pressure is needed in this industry to make the necessary regulations to protect the public and make big industries comply. However, educating yourself and reading labels carefully, not just on sunscreens but, unfortunately, on all products, remains the safest route. For more information and research about hazardous and potentially toxic chemicals in Canada, contact the Environmental Defence Works out of Toronto; they campaign to protect the public and environment.
