Sunscreen and coral health

[Spike_Digger]

I know that some dive ops will not allow you to wear sunscreen when diving with them, out of concern for harming the coral. Some will allow only certain approved sunscreens, and prohibit others. Has anybody heard of any scientific studies regarding the effects of divers wearing sunscreen on coral health? And what is the difference between so-called safe sunscreens and bad sunscreens?

Apologies in advance, if this has already been covered in another thread. I searched and found only anecdotal evidence about sunscreen being banned in some places, but without any science behind it.

BTW, this is what I look like if I don't lather up before getting on the boat -

 

[SuSexFulDiver]

What about all the chemicals which we wash our dive equipment in?

If you wonder why you dont see any fish, maybe its because the fish can smell you???? LOL

 

[almitywife]

i would have thought peeing would be more harmful than my 30+ sunscreen and how would they know if its odorless & blends right in (the sunscreen... not the pee)

 

[bubblemonkey]

what about the small amounts of oil, diesel and petrol dropped in the water by said dive boats.

 

[charlesml3]

what about the small amounts of oil, diesel and petrol dropped in the water by said dive boats.

All lighter than water. They'll stay on the surface and evaporate quickly.

-Charles

 

[Scuba Monster]

Interesting ... I haven't heard that about sunscreen or experienced a dive op that didn't allow it, but I am curious. Is this something you have experienced from a dive op? If so, where?

 

[Spike_Digger]

Interesting ... I haven't hear that about sunscreen, but I am curious. Is this something you have experienced? If so, where?

Yes, I was in Cozumel over Thanksgiving, and the DMs on our boat told us we couldn't put sunscreen on. (I did anyway, as I burn very easily. ) I've also heard that sunscreen is not allowed in some of the cenotes on the mainland.

 

[jon m]

true- they really don't like it in the cenotes... never did find out WHY!
anyone?

 

[SteveFass]

Well, it makes sense for the cenotes - that water is for drinking.

But yeah, as for the oceans, I've heard about cautions to keep your bug spray (deet) out of the water, so I've wondered about sunscreen and tried to minimize use.

 

[Onda]

well all toiletteries like shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, skin cream. Have chemicals that are really bad for aquatic lifeforms (that is really really really bad) They have both short and longterm effects so I would suspect that sunscreen is no better. I did a little research on this once when I was taking a course in ecotoxicology. I've forgotten all the links to pages I found regarding this though.