by Robert Mann

Created on: April 16, 2009

There has been considerable hype lately about health risks posed by sunscreen itself. Organic sunscreen aside, almost all commercial brands carry potential hazards. No government agency or private organization has stepped forward to provide universal standards for safety and effectiveness. Currently the consumer must find the facts and make the final decision based on the facts.

Manufacturing technology has enabled products to carry nano particles, tiny bits of material that can slip through almost any surface. Commercial sunscreens rely on these particles for penetration of the skin. The end health results are not known, but toxins are now given access to parts of the human body that could not be accessed in the past.

Oxybenzone is one a widely-used sunscreen ingredient that carries a bad reputation. This chemical so far has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage, as well as low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. The chemical is also a penetration enhancer which helps other chemicals penetrate the skin.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) came close to enacting regulations for sunscreen back in 1978, but the project was never finalized. Now, decades later, many statements made by sunscreen vendors include terms that are neither defined nor measured. Only consumers with research time to invest can make a reasonable assessment of the products.

Five out of the six active ingredients in sunscreen have been found to mimic estrogen in the human body. Risk groups for these effects include children and breast cancer patients. All of these chemicals were examined in actual breast cancer cells.

Taking a look at effectiveness, the popular SPF ratings do not take into account the harmful UVA rays present in sunlight. Many popular sunscreens do not provide the consumer with enough protection against exposure to UVA rays. Though not a matter of toxins, this is certainly a health issue. Consumers who feel secure using a high SPF rating may in fact be risking skin damage from UVA rays.

There is still not enough data to draw a final conclusion on potential dangers of sunscreen. The fact that sunscreen itself is a "protection" product amplifies the need for clarity on both risks and effectiveness. Action by the FDA on this issue would provide a great value to the public, and the use of organic products is a much safer bet in the meantime.

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