Study reveals sunscreen’s darker side

Experts from Environment Working Group (EWG), U.S., found that skin-cancer cases are rising owing to extensive usage of sunscreens and chemicals present in them that may result in DNA damage.

EWG, a non-profitable public health advocacy group, specializes in environmental research and support in the areas of toxic chemicals, agricultural subsidies, public lands, and corporate accountability.

The Washington Post quoted Margaret Parsons, dermatologist in Sacramento, and board member of American Academy of Dermatology, as saying, “It gives a false sense of security.”

Referring to the common people, Parsons stated, “They see that higher number and think they can just put it on in the morning and stay out all day.”

Sunscreens’ side-effects
Though the increase in skin-cancer cases could be blamed upon overexposure to UV rays, sun-screen itself may be a causative factor.

According to the 2010 Sunscreen Guide from EWG, side-effects of sunscreens are caused due to ingredients in sunscreens, inadequate sun protection, and application methods.

Most sunscreens protect against UVA rays that cause skin damage and premature wrinkles and stronger UVB rays that cause sunburn.

Certain sunscreens provide physical block by sitting on the skin’s surface, causing UV rays to retreat, and others are chemical sunscreens that are absorbed by the skin and disable sunlight when it comes in contact with the skin’s surface.

However, the latest creams are a combination of both, which has actually raised health concerns.

According to experts, chemicals used to neutralize UV rays (cinnamates, benzophenones and amino benzoic acid) counteract sunlight when it is absorbed by the skin, thus causing genetic-material to damage.

The EWG report also noted that 60 percent of beach and sport sunscreens contain the hormone-disrupting oxybenzene chemical.

Another 40 percent include retinyl palmitate, a type of vitamin A that may accelerate skin cancer-growth.

FDA’s failure in regulating sunscreens
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began writing regulations for sunscreens in 1978. But even after a period of 32 years, the agency has failed to issue them.

The four-star rating system revealing the lowest to highest UVA protection was intended to be implemented during last winter.

“The FDA is still trying to implement this four star monitoring system and hopefully within the next year or two this will be out so that patients are aware that they’re not just being covered by UVB but they are also being covered by UVA,” NY1 (New York one) quoted ColumbiaDoctors EastSide dermatologist Dr. Monica Halem as saying.