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NEWS MARCH 10, 2008
Synthetic Sunscreen Chemicals are a Threat to the Environment
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“Studies show that chemical sunscreens compounds can accumulate in body fats and mother’s milk, causing hormonal changes within the body. These chemicals mimic estrogen, an extremely powerful hormone. There is concern that xenoestrogens could adversely affect male human embryos following extensive animal studies in Japan (1).” “On the environmental front, it has been well documented that estrogens have ended up in ground water and food. On the southern Californian coast, male turbot and sole were found with ovarian tissue and oxybenzone in sunscreen was blamed (2).” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, describes feminized fish as being a worldwide phenomenon.
Aside from PABA, PEG and oxybenzone, there are potentially feminising octocrylene and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor in sunscreens and lip balms that are reportedly building up in fish. “It is no stretch of the imagination to understand how chemical based sunscreens get into the eco system once they are on and in your body. It’s the very same process that results in the synthetic estrogens from contraceptive pills (3) ending up in British rivers and changing the sex of fish there,” observed Jacob-Dewor. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV B rays only and are absorbed into the skin and body tissue. They take 20 to 30 minutes after application to become effective. Lavera’s natural, mineral based sunscreens create a physical protection layer on the skin that reflects UV A and B rays immediately upon application. The harmless mineral contents ultimately wash off and biodegrade harmlessly in the environment. “The irony is that while endeavoring to protect ourselves from damaging UV rays, the protection itself ends up in the food chain. That’s why it is so very important to use natural and organic sunscreen products that are free of synthetic dangerous chemicals,” concluded Jacob-Dewor. 80% of our total lifetime sun exposure occurs within the first 18 years of life, according to an American Cancer Society study. The same study reported that 72% of children experienced sunburns during the summer months.
ABOUT LAVERA Since its founding 20 years ago, the Lavera brand (http://www.lavera.com) has grown to include more than 300 natural and organic skin care products. Lavera health and beauty products are currently sold in more than 12,000 locations in 25 different countries. Lavera is the market leader in Europe for natural skin care with a 27% of the market share in general health and beauty products and a 50% market share in sunscreen products. The North American Division was formed in the late 1990s and is headquartered in Kirkland, Washington. Contact the North American Division by phone at 877-528-3727 ext 6 or, visit Lavera’s site at www.lavera.com. The entire line of sale items can be viewed in the online newsletter. For product samples, please email press@lavera.com
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KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON - Lavera USA CEO, Ulrike Jacob-Dewor, who is also a biochemist, said today that many conventional sunscreens are not just a danger to humans, but also to the environment.