Hawaii bans sale of sunscreens that could harm the environment

ABC 8 News - July 4, 2018

Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed a bill into law Tuesday that bans the sale of sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate.

Senate Bill 2571, now Act 104, bans the sale of oxybenzone and octinoxate starting Jan. 1, 2021. This excludes certain prescription sunscreen products intended for use as a cosmetic for the face.

The delayed effective date allows for reformulation of sunscreens that are free of oxybenzone or octinoxate, but are also effective in preventing skin cancer.

Sen. Mike Gabbard, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment, introduced the bill and called the new law "a gold standard for the world to follow."

"This is a historic bill for our oceans. By taking the lead on banning these dangerous chemicals in sunscreens, we've started a tidal wave which will help bring our coral reefs back to life. I hope we can look back 20 years from now and see this as a moment we turned the corner on pollution and witnessed this law being replicated globally," Gabbard said.

Scientific studies have shown that oxybenzone and octinoxate induce coral bleaching, harm and kill coral larvae by creating gross deformities, and act as an endocrine disrupter. The chemicals have also been linked to negatively impacting the reproductive health in both men and women.

Hawaii is the first state in the nation to ban the sale of all sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate.