SUNJIN NEWSLETTER
Island Ban Update 2021
By Kim, Sanguk
April 2021, NO.11
Hi, How are you?
We would like to share an update on Island Ban which went into effect in 2021.
Hawaii banned the sale of over-the-counter sunscreens containing Oxybenzone and Octinoxate in order to protect Hawaii’s marine environment from January 1st, 2021.
Under the law, it is still allowed to bring sunscreens with the banned chemicals into the state, but many in survey expressed they would prefer to buy ones deemed safe for the reef in Hawaii.
The alternatives are mineral-based sunscreens containing Zinc Oxide and Titanium dioxide, which have been recognized by the U.S. FDA as Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective(GRASE).
A gift shop in Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in Hawaii had stopped selling sunscreens with the prohibited two chemicals and was selling mineral-based sunscreens.
More details can be found in the link below.
<Relevant article>
– New sunscreen law to protect coral reefs begins_West Hawaii Today 2021.01.02
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2021/01/02/hawaii-news/new-sunscreen-law-to-protect-coral-reefs-begins/