[Coral-List] Personal Care Product Pollution and its Threat to Coral Reefs

[Eugene Shinn]

Cheryl, I commend you for getting the word out about the special session 
at the ICRS meeting on effects of personal care products.I have long 
suspected they are harmful to coral reefs. It is indeed a subject worthy 
of further research. I know you are aware that sunscreens are banned 
from use in protected reefs areas in Mexico and preliminary studies also 
have shown their affect live corals. The problem we face in the Florida 
Keys is that the reefs are governed by the department of Commerce, which 
as  you know oversees the NOAA Marine Sanctuary program. As such do not 
expect to see these products banned in the Keys if shown to be toxic. . 
Preventing sales of these products would have a negative effect on the 
Keys economy that depends so heavily on snowbird tourists that 
especially need protection from the sun. Banning of sunscreens would 
certainly have a negative economic impact on the tourist/swimmer trade.

I think you as a Dept. of Commerce employee are being especially brave 
publicizing this special session. I wish you and Craig Downs good luck. 
Hopefully the session will stimulate some straightforward bio assay work 
to determine which and if sunscreens affect live corals. Gene

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No Rocks, No Water, No Ecosystem (EAS)
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E. A. Shinn, Courtesy Professor
University of South Florida
College of Marine Science Room 221A
140 Seventh Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
<eugeneshinn at mail.usf.edu>
Tel 727 553-1158
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