Hawaii Governor signs a law to ban sunscreens to protect coral reefs. Photo: Governor Ige
A bill to ban certain types of sunscreen in Hawaii has been signed into law as part of efforts to protect coral reefs.
The Hawaii Governor David Ige signed the bill on July 4 that prohibits the sale of sunscreens that contain oxibenzone and octinoxate from 2021.
He said scientific studies have documented the negative impact of these chemicals on corals and other marine life.
"We are blessed in Hawaii to be home to some of the most beautiful and natural resources on the planet but our natural environment is fragile and our own interaction with the earth can have everlasting impacts and this bill is a small step, small first step, world-wide to really caring about our corals and our reefs," he said.
Governor Ige said the banned sunscreens would still be available to patients prescribed to them by healthcare providers.
He said Hawaiians can use sunscreens made from other ingredients.