There is another big sunscreen issue in Hawaii, and this one needs immediate action.

Although two harmful chemical sunscreens have already been banned in the state, there is strong scientific evidence that two more are harmful to both human health and coral reefs. In fact, mounting research suggests that these two chemicals, avobenzone and octocrylene, are life-threatening to Hawaii’s reefs and are bad for people, including our keiki.

Neither the coral reefs nor the children can speak up to protect themselves from these toxic chemicals. But some people have: a group of 50 organizations, businesses, individuals, and eminent scientists, representing more than 1,000 constituents and concerned citizens, submitted testimony and evidence supporting a bill to ban these harmful chemicals in Hawaii.

The evidence against avobenzone and octocrylene was so strong that Senate Bill 132 passed the Hawaii Senate and one House Committee unanimously. Unanimously.

Now, shockingly, a second House committee has killed the bill by not allowing it to go forward to a hearing. This committee, Consumer Protection and Commerce, chose to ignore the overwhelming evidence against the safety and effectiveness of these chemicals. It chose to ignore the immediate and irreversible threat to our coral reefs. It chose to ignore the voices of Hawaii’s residents as they sought to protect their environment, their health, and their children.

The dangers of sunscreen chemicals are well recognized around the world. They are reef toxins that irreversibly interfere with the life cycles of Hawaii’s marine life including corals, algae, fish, shellfish, sea urchins, and marine mammals.

Avobenzone can cause hormone disruptions and has been shown to be toxic to marine plants. Octocrylene is a chemical pollutant prevalent in coastal environments, and it has been found in Hawaii’s coral reefs. Research shows that it collects in coral tissues and reduces their resistance to coral bleaching.

‘Hormone Disrupter’

Octocrylene is a “hormone disruptor” that’s been shown to cause deformities in the brains and reproductive organs of developing fish, possibly threatening entire populations. It’s also been found in the fish and shellfish that we eat. Octocrylene affects thyroid function and delays testicular development and causes problems with female reproductive organs. It also degrades into a chemical called benzophenone that can cause cancers.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states that sunscreen chemicals, including octocrylene, can harm corals, green algae, mussels, sea urchins, fish, and dolphins.

The Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Disease Control, American Cancer Society, World Health Organization, as well as hundreds of scientists and dermatologists, have reported that certain chemical sunscreens are harmful to many forms of life — including humans — and have not been shown to decrease skin cancer.

The FDA does not recognize avobenzone and octocrylene as safe and effective for use in sunscreens. Knowing what we know, why would we want to apply sunscreens containing octocrylene or avobenzone on our keiki?

There are alternative sunscreens on the market today that ARE approved by the FDA as safe and effective: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide offer better skin protection with less environmental harm. Even better for human health and the environment is to avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and/or to wear a broad-brimmed hat and covering clothing.

Our reefs are in crisis now and are truly at risk of being lost forever.

Sunscreens containing octocrylene and avobenzone should be banned from sale in Hawaii based on the Precautionary Principle alone. This states that “the burden of proof for potentially harmful actions by industry or government rests on the assurance of safety” and that any scientific uncertainty must favor prevention.

In other words, our elected officials shouldn’t use the excuse of “not enough evidence yet” to postpone hearing SB 132, especially when they’ve been presented with the risk of serious and irreversible harm based on scientific findings from around the world.

If you believe that the Hawaii House should at least allow hearings on this bill, let your voice be heard. Contact your government officials. Don’t be ignored.

Please email the Speaker of the House, Representative Scott K. Saiki (repsaiki@Capitol.hawaii.gov) or call his office (808-586-6100). Ask him to allow hearings to determine if these toxic sunscreen chemicals, octocrylene and avobenzone, should be allowed in products being sold in Hawaii.

Please also email Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson (repjohanson@Capitol.hawaii.gov) or call his office (808-586-9470). Ask him to explain why the CPC failed to schedule a hearing for SB 132.

We can’t just wait for another legislative session to come around. Our reefs are in crisis now and are truly at risk of being lost forever.

Don’t let this happen. Mahalo!