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Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, _ visit. The stress of the sunscreen chemicals decreases identified that the offspring of mice exposed to TiO2 the ability of the coral to continue flourishing with a undergo large DNA deletions.” Since this shows that slight change in water temperature. nanoparticles cross the placenta, it is likely, then, that Since the world's oceans are an important source of damage could occur in human babies who are exposed in _ food, attention needs to be paid to the loss of marine life the uterus to these microscopic-sized metallic oxides. | due to the message that no one should go out in the sun Other researchers identified that TiO2 nanoparticles not —_ without sunscreen. How high a price is this to pay? only cross the cell membrane but also cross into the nucleus of the cell, where they create DNA damage and _ Beware of Products Claimed to be Natural or Safe disrupt normal cell division.” Just as important a finding It has become fashionable for sunscreen manufacturers is the work of others who found that these nanoparticles to claim their products to be "natural" or "safe". Even if are so tiny that they cross the protective blood-brain _ they're labelled as being safe for coral reefs, these barrier and are capable of killing brain neurons.”! products often contain chemicals which have been Researchers are now stating that these tiny particles proven to kill coral.° Some manufacturers claim that were released for consumer use before studies were __ they use only the "bulk" form of titanium dioxide and zinc performed to assure that aquatic and marine life would oxide and do not use nanoparticles, thus making their not be harmed.” products safe. In reality, there is no way to screen out the Phytoplankton are critical to our planet. They are not — smaller particles from being included in the bulk form only the beginning of the marine and ensure that you are getting ‘ood chain, but are estimated to only the larger-sized particles. be responsible for the Avoiding the harmful production of 50-90% of the Antioxidants protect chemicals found in sunscreens world's oxygen.” A 2010 study . , manufactured today is the first ound that ZnO nanoparticles against not only ultraviolet ine of defence. Sunscreens — ill plankton,“ while others 48 Biohazard includes complete lists determined that ZnO radiation, as the sunscreen of all the sunscreen chemicals, nanoparticles are extremely preparations do, but also by country of approval, so you oxic and TiO2 nanoparticles are . can refer to them to determine armful to marine life.” near-infrared rays... whether the product you are Researchers calculated that considering purchasing contains here are now generally 40% armful chemicals. It is ewer phytoplankton in the imperative that you read every world's oceans compared to the 1950 figure.” Since it label of anything that you buy to place on your skin, as 46 as been proven that zinc oxide nanoparticles kill | most cosmetics, body lotions and shampoos contain plankton, it is imperative that we stop contaminating the | sunscreen chemicals. Titanium dioxide is the most oceans with sunscreen chemicals. common chemical and is even added to many food Multiple studies are now identifying that these — products sold in grocery stores as well as natural food nanoparticles are toxic to fish, finding them in their gills, | stores. Be on the lookout, as sunscreen chemicals are ivers, hearts and brain.*’ Also, the chemicals in _ being included in a vast variety of products ranging from sunscreens are so hormonally active that fish exposed to _ perfumes all the way to puddings. hem produce offspring with a mixture of male and emale reproductive parts, with damage so great that _ Dietary Antioxidants and Natural Skin Protection some even stop spawning. Researchers have coined the There have been many studies published over the years erm "intersex" for these chemically affected offspring. which prove that antioxidants are very effective in In addition to TiOz2 and ZnO, sunscreen chemicals even __ naturally protecting the skin from solar radiation. If there at very low concentrations (the same as after showering were plenty of reasons in the past to eat a diet high in off the sunscreen) completely bleach (i.e., kill) coral in 96 antioxidants, these findings make it even more important ours. The chemicals which cause the die-off are the 0 do so today. aforementioned BP-3, OMC and 4-MBC as well as the Antioxidants protect against not only ultraviolet preservative butyl paraben (BP).” radiation, as the sunscreen preparations do, but also Coral bleaching has become a problem around the _ near-infrared rays, providing the body with far greater world. Global warming has been blamed for these __ protection than the narrow spectral UV coverage provided bleaching events, but when did they first occur? These by individual chemical sunscreens. events started when tourist populations began to Sunscreens — Biohazard has a chapter covering the explode in the affected regions. Both the Belize Barrier | numerous types of antioxidant foods which studies show Reef and Australia's Great Barrier Reef did not experience can prevent the harmful changes that occur at the cellular coral bleaching until large numbers of tourists began to evel when staying in the sun for too long. visit. The stress of the sunscreen chemicals decreases the ability of the coral to continue flourishing with a slight change in water temperature. Since the world's oceans are an important source of food, attention needs to be paid to the loss of marine life due to the message that no one should go out in the sun without sunscreen. How high a price is this to pay? Antioxidants protect against not only ultraviolet radiation, as the sunscreen preparations do, but also near-infrared rays... Dietary Antioxidants and Natural Skin Protection There have been many studies published over the years which prove that antioxidants are very effective in naturally protecting the skin from solar radiation. If there were plenty of reasons in the past to eat a diet high in antioxidants, these findings make it even more important o do so today. Antioxidants protect against not only ultraviolet radiation, as the sunscreen preparations do, but also near-infrared rays, providing the body with far greater protection than the narrow spectral UV coverage provided by individual chemical sunscreens. Sunscreens — Biohazard has a chapter covering the numerous types of antioxidant foods which studies show can prevent the harmful changes that occur at the cellular evel when staying in the sun for too long. NEXUS ¢ 33 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2012 www.nexusmagazine.com