Blog Post Written by Laila Cohen, UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County intern

Surf’s up! Happy International Surfing Day!

International Surfing Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in June and takes place on June 21st in 2025. Surfing originated in Polynesia over a thousand years ago, and was considered the “sport of kings” among the Pacific islands. The sport slowly grew over time, with a major boom in participation after Duke Kahanamoku brought global attention to surfing. Since then, it has become a popular international sport, establishing the World Surfing League (WSL) and including it in the Olympics.

The rise in surfing meant more people were exposed to strong UV rays. This became a problem with people developing skin cancer, UV damage, and photoaging. To combat the harmful rays, sunscreen was developed. It became a major part of the surfing community, using chemical fillers and mineral blockers as sun protection. However, after years of using sunscreen, people started to notice environmental effects, and studies began to show relationships between chemical-based sunscreens and marine environmental decline.

Chemical-based sunscreens are incredibly harmful to the ocean and corals. These sunscreens absorb UV rays before they reach the skin. Chemical-based sunscreens contain ingredients such as Oxybenzone and Octinoxate that release nanoparticles into the waters. They can cause coral bleaching, DNA damage, and growth impairment of green algae. There are also threats of accumulation of chemicals through tissues that affect all marine life, from sea urchins to fish to dolphins.

In order to protect the marine environment, a movement is supporting the use of mineral-based sunscreen over chemical-based sunscreen. These mineral ingredients include Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide, which are non-nano and sit on top of the skin, reflecting UV rays instead of absorbing them. Some places, like Hawaii, have banned chemical-based sunscreens altogether to protect their marine systems and reefs.

What can you do:

• Use sunscreens containing mineral-based ingredients: Typically, do not use spray sunscreens because they contain nanoparticles.
• Wear UPF swim clothes: An alternative to sunscreen is wearing sun-protective clothing, such as swim shirts.
• Avoid greenwashing and look at the ingredients: Some brands will advertise being “reef safe” and still contain chemical ingredients. Make sure to read the ingredient labels for harmful chemicals.
• Responsibly dispose of chemical-based sunscreens: You can contact your local waste disposal company to properly dispose of chemical-based sunscreens.
• Spread the word: Educate and encourage others to have an environmentally safe sun protection routine.

Infographic: Sunscreen Chemicals and Marine Life

How sunscreen chemicals enter our environment: The sunscreen you apply may not stay on your skin. When we swim or shower, sunscreen may wash off and enter our waterways.

How sunscreen chemicals can affect marine life:

• Green Algae: Can impair growth and photosynthesis.
• Coral: Accumulates in tissues. Can induce bleaching, damage DNA, deform young, and even kill.
• Mussels: Can induce defects in young.
• Sea Urchins: Can damage immune and reproductive systems, and deform young.
• Fish: Can decrease fertility and reproduction, and cause female characteristics in male fish.
• Dolphins: Can accumulate in tissue and be transferred to young.

Chemicals in some sunscreens that can harm marine life include: Oxybenzone, Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-Benzylidene camphor, nano-Titanium dioxide, nano-Zinc oxide, Octinoxate, Octocrylene

Here are a few ways to protect ourselves and marine life: Consider sunscreen without chemicals that can harm marine life, seek shade between 10 am & 2 pm, and use Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) sunwear.

References

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/body-mind/health/sport-and-fitness/sport/the-history-surfing

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/oceans/sunscreen

https://www.nps.gov/puho/learn/nature/protectyourselfprotectthereef.htm#effects

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/idkt_sunscreen.htm

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