NPR: Linkfest: Swimmers' Sunscreen Killing Off Coral

Linkfest: Swimmers' Sunscreen Killing Off Coral

Over a million Americans were diagnosed with skin cancer in 2007, making it one of the fastest growing types of cancer in the United States. UV exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer and to avoid overexposure many people protect their body with sunscreen.

Unfortunately, if people are protected the coral reefs suffer. A new study finds that chemicals in sunscreen wash off swimmers and awaken dormant viruses inside coral reefs.

Researchers from the online journal Environmental Health Perspectives estimate that "4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers annually in oceans worldwide, and that up to 10 percent of coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching."

It's the BPP's Ramble.

Swimmers' sunscreen killing off coral/ Cop's report that woman attends church with crowbar in her pants/ Space race anniversary / Playground for 60-year-olds

Will Hoffman

6:16 AM ET | 01-31-2008 | permalink

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