A sunscreen placed on the beach before swimming in the ocean could hurt marine life, a new study by the University of Hong Kong warns.
The study says that the same chemicals used in products to protect us from harmful ultraviolet radiation can cause deformities in future generations of fish.
The discovery could be "spectacular" for the wider effects of these chemicals on the environment and large animals, to include the entire food chain, including humans, according to scientists.
These chemicals are found in consumer products, including cosmetics, sun lotions and moisturizers, which are quickly transferred from the skin to the marine environment through swimming.
UV protection products mask the work of major hormones, and scientists have now shown that this can have a devastating effect on wildlife.
"There are many types of personal care products that contain organic materials for UV protection, such as sunscreens, lotions and make-up products, which are widely consumed," said Dr Kelvin Leung, co-author of the study. Large quantities of chemicals in the environment, with the potential for accumulation in animals and humans. "
While the harmful effects of harmful sun protection products are widely known, previous studies have concluded that individual chemicals do not exist at sufficiently high levels in the environment to harm people or animals.
But Dr. Leung examined whether these chemicals could have long-term effects, which were not taken into account by previous studies.
His team evaluated 9 levels of common chemicals in waters along China's Shenzhen coast, a city of more than 20 popular beaches. They found 7 of these materials in Shenzhen waters, including public beaches and harbor, as well as tap water tank.
The researchers found clear problems and abnormalities in the offspring of common species of fish, and noted that these abnormalities arose when fish were exposed to high concentrations of chemicals.
The study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology shows that further research is needed to assess the full impact of harmful solar radiation.
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