Banning some sun creams and sunscreens in Thailand

The Thai authorities have banned sun creams and sunscreens. This applies to those products that contain chemicals that have a negative impact on corals.

Around the world, coral reefs are facing many problems that are leading to their degradation. As a result, coral populations around the world are seriously threatened and the condition of many reefs is downright dire. Fortunately, many individuals and organisations are working to reverse this negative trend.

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Thailand banned some sun creams and sunscreens a few days ago. Experts investigating the problem found that four ingredients commonly found in sun creams destroy coral larvae, hinder their reproduction and cause them to fade. The ban covers those products that have coral-destroying chemicals in their composition. The new law applies to all marine national parks.

The negative impact of sun care products on the environment has been discussed for a long time. To protect their skin from UV radiation, people use many products whose ingredients are not indifferent to marine flora and fauna. After all, that is where they end up when we head into the water to cool off a bit after sunbathing.

Better late than never

Thai authorities have for some time take action to rebuild and protecting coral reefs. One would like to say “finally!” because for years, beautiful tropical reefs were simply devastated. All that mattered was profits from tourism, not the welfare of marine ecosystems.

Fortunately, the situation has changed somewhat and the current policy seems somewhat less short-sighted. Because decision-makers seem to have realised that natural assets cannot be exploited indefinitely, and that damaged and devastated coral reefs, lagoons and beaches no longer attract as many tourists.

Anyone breaking the ban can be fined up to 100,000 baht (PLN 11600). Unfortunately, it is still unknown how the Thai authorities intend to enforce the new regulations. It is worth mentioning that the authorities in Palau and Hawaii have introduced similar bans.

Photo: wikipedia CC By SA 3-0