The world 's first 'sunscreen regulation law' was established in Hawaii, and why?

by Fort George G. Meade Public Affairs Office

The law banning the sale of "sunscreen" in Hawaii has been established. The world's first sunscreen regulation law aims to protect "coral" which is a rich marine resource of Hawaii.

David Y. Ige | OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR - News Release - Governor David Ige signs bill making Hawaii first in the world to ban certain sunscreens
http://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/latest-news/office-of-the-governor-news-release-governor-david-ige-signs-bill-making-hawaii-first-in-the-world- to-ban-certain-sunscreens /

Governor David Ige of Hawaii State signed a bill prohibiting the sale and circulation of sunscreen medicines including oxybenzone and octinoxate and made it legislative. According to the state of Hawaii, it seems to be the world's first law regulating sunscreen, it will come into force on January 1, 2021.

Oxybenzone and octinoxate, chemical substances subject to this sunscreen regulation law, have the function of blocking ultraviolet rays and are used for commercially available sunscreen, but when dissolved in the sea, coral genes are damaged It was pointed out by environmental preservation organizations if it caused bleaching or whitening phenomenon.

However, it is prohibited to sell the target sunscreen medicine within the Hawaii region, so it is virtually impossible to regulate the act of using sunscreen carried by travelers. However, as a state of Hawaii, by clarifying the attitude to prohibit sunscreen, many people including tourists are highly conscious of environmental preservation and eventually try to protect the rich marine resources of Hawaii It seems like an idea.

Although it is the world's first sunscreen regulation law, the only grounds that became the basis were the one study that investigated "the effect of sunscreen ingredients on coral" by the EWG of the environmental conservation organization, and the scientific justification is uncertain There is also an opposition opinion that it is. Also, if the use of sunscreen is restricted by the sun block control law, does not the risk of skin cancer increase? There is also concern. Nonetheless, as the opinions of both pros and cons are raised, the situation in which the concern for the influence of chemical substances on coral is rising is likely to be as expected by Governor Ige.