In-vitro
Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells
Downs CA, Kramarsky-Winter E, Segal R, Fauth J, Knutson S, et al.
In-vitroArchives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology2016
Research Facts
Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells
Downs CA, Kramarsky-Winter E, Segal R, Fauth J, Knutson S, et al.
In-vitro · Strong · 2016
Findings

Oxybenzone causes coral bleaching, DNA damage, and endocrine disruption in coral larvae at concentrations found in reef-adjacent waters

Design
In-vitro
Evidence
Strong
Journal
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Methodology

This study demonstrated that oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), the most commonly used UV filter in sunscreens, is toxic to coral reef organisms at environmentally relevant concentrations. Exposure caused coral planulae to become trapped in their own skeleton (ossification), induced coral bleaching, and caused DNA damage. Oxybenzone also acted as an endocrine disruptor, causing feminization of coral tissue. These effects occurred at concentrations measured in waters surrounding Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This study was the primary scientific basis for Hawaii's 2018 ban on oxybenzone-containing sunscreens and the broader shift toward mineral (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) sunscreen formulations.

Funded By

NOAA, EPA, Virginia Institute of Marine Science

🧂Conflict of interest.