WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--There is not enough evidence that sunscreens harm coral to justify sunscreen bans, says Dr. Terry Hughes, one of the world’s foremost authorities on coral reef science. The Conversation, a publication by a consortium of universities, news organizations, research institutions, and scientists published this article yesterday making it clear that local attempts to ban certain sunscreens are not based on a strong scientific foundation. The article, "There’s insufficient evidence your sunscreen harms coral reefs," authored by Hughes, who is professor of marine biology at James Cook University in Australia, takes aim at the weakness and limitations of the two studies used by activists to promote "risky and unjustified" sunscreen bans. Hughes references the proposed Key West sunscreen ban as an example of a proposed policy without scientific evidence to support it.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) and the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) urge Key West City citizens and Commissioners to halt the proposal for a sunscreen ban, and encourages the city to conduct more research to understand the real causes of coral decline, such as global warming, pollution, overfishing and agricultural runoff.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) is the 138-year-old national trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and dietary supplements. Every dollar spent by consumers on OTC medicines saves the U.S. healthcare system $6-$7, contributing a total of $102 billion in savings each year. CHPA is committed to empowering self-care by preserving and expanding choice and availability of consumer healthcare products. www.chpa.org
Based in Washington, D.C., the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the leading national trade association representing global cosmetics and personal care products companies. Founded in 1894, PCPC’s approximately 600 member companies manufacture, distribute, and supply the vast majority of finished personal care products marketed in the U.S. As the makers of a diverse range of products millions of consumers rely on and trust every day – from sunscreens, toothpaste, and shampoo to moisturizer, lipstick, and fragrance – personal care products companies are global leaders committed to product safety, quality, and innovation. www.personalcarecouncil.org