The Dangers of Nanoparticles in Sunscreen
Posted on August 16, 2007 by
There’s been a lot of press about sunscreen and safety lately. Is it effective enough? Are the SPF claims accurate? Are they really as waterproof as they claim to be?
Another of the major concerns with sunscreens today is the use of manufactured nanoparticles.
Do you remember using sunscreen when you were a kid? It was gloppier and left a chalky film on your skin. Today, nanoparticles are used in sunscreens to make them go on clear, but nanoparticles do nothing to improve skin protection.
As of now, there hasn’t been enough safety testing of nanoparticles to be sure that they’re safe to use in cosmetic and personal care applications. The concern is that because they’re so small, when absorbed through the skin, nanoparticles can enter our blood stream, cells and vital organs. According to Friends of the Earth, some scientific studies have shown that nanoparticles in sunscreen can disrupt DNA, damage cells and even cause cell death.
In addition, there is concern that when people use a sunscreen containing nanoparticles, then swim or shower, the nanoparticles are released into our water systems. So, even if you opt not to use products with nanoparticles, you could still come into contact with them.
Right now, there are no requirements for products containing nanoparticles to be labeled as such, and the majority of the companies Friends of the Earth contacted refused to confirm or deny the use of nanoparticles in their products.
We all know that wearing sunscreen is important for protecting our skin against skin cancer. So what should we do?
- Avoid sun exposure when possible to reduce the need for sunscreen.
- When you will be in the sun, use sunscreens that are known to be free of nanoparticles. Friends of the Earth has compiled a list in A Consumer Guide for Avoiding Nano-Sunscreens.
- Write to your favorite companies and ask them to discontinue the use of nanoparticles in their products until further testing is done.
- Add your name to the petition urging the FDA to require labels on products containing nanoparticles.
Your actions can help protect your health, the health of those around you, and the health of our environment.
[...] year, I did a post about nanoparticles in sunscreen, but since we’re getting into sunscreen season, I thought I’d mention it [...]
It really does seem like EVERYTHING we put on or in our bodies these days has some kind of harmful ingredient. Yikes!
The shoking truth is the fact that both chemical sunscreens (avobenzone ,methoxycinnamate,padimate-o)and physical sunblocks (titanium dioxideand zincoxide) have been found to generate free radicals when exposed to sunlight ,which then can attack the nuceli of your skin cells and cause mutations. That’s right they cause skin cancer. Our ancestors didn’t have sunscreen. They avoided sun and used clothing for sun protection. Skin cancer is on the rise . Please be smart and educate yourself about the dangers of the sun.