Next time when you hit the beach, be careful about the amount of sunscreen you are using on yourself. According to a new study published in the US Journal Environmental Health Perspectives, sunscreen lotions used by beach-going tourists globally is a major cause of concern, because this is one of the prime factors behind coral bleaching. Coral reefs are among the most biologically productive and diverse of ecosystems, and directly sustain half a billion people. But some 60 per cent of these reef systems are threatened by a deadly combination of climate change, industrial pollution and excess UV radiation. This latest study has added sunscreen to the list of damaging agents, and has given statistical analysis which shows that more than 10% of the world’s breathtakingly beautiful and renowned reefs are at a danger of sunscreen induced coral bleaching.

Chemical compounds in sunscreen and other personal skin care products have been detected near both sea and freshwater tourist areas. Research in this field has already generated ample proof that these chemicals can accumulate in aquatic animals, and biodegrade into toxic by-products. In fact, even small percentage of sunscreen discharge in the water can instigate to release coral mucous within 18-48 hours, which is an alarming signal of environmental stress. The hydrocarbons, anti allergens and other contaminants used to manufacture the sunscreen have been found to induce algae or coral to release viruses, augmenting the bleaching process. This is indeed alarming as coral reefs are one of the few balancing factors that are still maintaining the ecological poise all over the world.

According to the World Trade Organisation, around 10 per cent of tourism takes place in Tropical areas, with 78 million tourists visiting coral reefs each year. An estimated 4000 to 6000 tonnes of sunscreen are released annually in reef areas, with 25 per cent of the sunscreen ingredients on skin released into water over the course of a 20 minute submersion. Even if we tend to stoically ignore all these numerical facts and figures and decide to get suntanned by the beach with dollops of sunscreen lotion to protect our skin, we should at least think of the imminent disaster which we are unknowingly welcoming with open arms!