CLOSE Just as the sun finally starts to warm things up, Hawaii is looking to ban some of the most popular sunscreens from its beaches. Nathan Rousseau Smith explains why. Buzz60 
 
 Beach goers enjoy their day at Waikiki beach in Honolulu, Hawaii, in this file photo. In the future, tourists might not be allowed to wear some kinds of sunscreens because of a new bill. (Photo: Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images) 
 
 Hawaii could become the first state to ban sunscreens with chemicals that may harm the environment. So maybe pack a sunhat and long sleeves for that trip to Waikiki. 
 
 State lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday banning sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, chemicals believed to cause harm to marine life and coral reefs. Those are active ingredients in a host of popular sunscreens, including top-rated brands. 
 
 The bill, introduced by Democratic Sen. Mike Gabbard, would prohibit the sale and distribution of sunscreen with those chemicals on the island "without prescription from a licensed healthcare provider." 
 
 “Amazingly, this is a first-in-the-world law,” Gabbard, who introduced the bill, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. "When you think about it, our island paradise, surrounded by coral reefs, is the perfect place to set the gold standard for the world to follow. This will make a huge difference in protecting our coral reefs, marine life, and human health.” 
 
 The bill would go into effect January 1, 2021 if signed by Democratic Gov. David Ige. 
 
 Critics of the bill question studies linking the chemicals to coral reef decay and say banning sunscreen could discourage people from wearing skin protection altogether, increasing skin cancer cases. Alexandra Kowcz, chief scientist with the Personal Care Products Council, said the bill rests on a "limited body of scientific research." Henry Lim, immediate past-president of the American Academy of Dermatology Association, told USA TODAY a sunscreen ban could "create significant confusion" about why wearing sunscreen is important. Plus, there aren't many effective sunscreen options on the market without these chemicals, he said. 
 
 "It is quite difficult to make good sunscreens that do not contain these chemicals based on the currently approved sunscreen active ingredients list in the U.S.," Lim said. 
 
 At least one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their life, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. 
 
 The only way to know if a sunscreen doesn't contain oxybenzone and octinoxate is to check the label. The non-profit Environmental Working Group, which ranks sunscreen brands based on effectiveness and chemical composition, reports zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sunscreens are usually most environmentally friendly. There are also some organic options. 
 
 More: Why more states are getting serious about sunscreen 
 
 More: You are probably putting sunscreen on the wrong way 
 
 The bill comes at a time when coral reefs are struggling to thrive worldwide. Acidic oceans — caused by climate change — will severely harm coral reef growth over the next few decades if carbon dioxide emissions continue unchecked, according to a report published in Nature. A study published in the peer-reviewed journal Science earlier this year showed the frequency of severe coral bleaching events has increased nearly fivefold in the past four decades, from once every 25 to 30 years in the early 1980s to once every six years in 2016. 
 
 Doyle Rice contributed to this report. Follow Ashley May on Twitter: @AshleyMayTweets 
 
 Read or Share this story: https://usat.ly/2HLrAQo ||||| Hawaii lawmakers passed a bill today banning the sale of sunscreens containing chemicals believed to be harmful to coral reefs. 
 
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 Hawaii lawmakers passed a bill today banning the sale of sunscreens containing chemicals believed to be harmful to coral reefs. 
 
 If Gov. David Ige signs the bill into law, it will take effect Jan. 1, 2021 and make Hawaii the first state in the nation to enact such a law. 
 
 Senate Bill 2571, introduced by state Sen. Mike Gabbard (D, Kapolei-­Makakilo), prohibits the sale and distribution of over-the-counter sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate in Hawaii. The bill was up for House and Senate floor votes today. 
 
 Despite opposition from retail and health industry representatives, the Senate voted for the bill unanimously, while four members of the House — Rep. Isaac Choy, Rep. Sharon Har, Rep. Sam Kong and Rep. Bob McDermott — voted against it. 
 
 “Amazingly, this is a first-in-the-world law,” said Gabbard in an e-mail. “So, Hawaii is definitely on the cutting edge by banning these dangerous chemicals in sunscreens. When you think about it, our island paradise, surrounded by coral reefs, is the perfect place to set the gold standard for the world to follow. This will make a huge difference in protecting our coral reefs, marine life, and human health.” 
 
 The bill was supported by the Friends of Hanauma Bay, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, Surfrider Foundation and a number of nonprofit environmental groups, as well as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. It was opposed by ABC Stores, the Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and Personal Care Products Council, as well as Bayer, which manufactures Coppertone sunscreens. ||||| Hawaii Approves Bill Banning Sunscreen Believed To Kill Coral Reefs 
 
 Enlarge this image toggle caption Caleb Jones/AP Caleb Jones/AP 
 
 Hawaii lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday that would prohibit the sale of over-the-counter sunscreens containing chemicals they say are contributing to the destruction of the state's coral reefs and other ocean life. 
 
 If signed by Gov. David Ige, it will make Hawaii the first state in the country to pass such a law and will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021. 
 
 "Amazingly, this is a first-in-the-world law," state Sen. Mike Gabbard, who introduced the bill, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. "So, Hawaii is definitely on the cutting edge by banning these dangerous chemicals in sunscreens." 
 
 The chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are used in more than 3,500 of the world's most popular sunscreen products, including Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone and Banana Boat, would be prohibited. 
 
 Prescription sunscreens containing those chemicals would still be permitted. 
 
 As NPR reported, a 2015 study of coral reefs in Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Israel determined oxybenzone "leaches the coral of its nutrients and bleaches it white. It can also disrupt the development of fish and other wildlife." Even a small drop is enough to damage delicate corals. 
 
 At the time, researchers estimated about 14,000 tons of sunscreen lotions end up in coral reefs around the world each year. 
 
 Opposition to the ban came from sunscreen manufacturers, including Bayer, the maker of Coppertone. And the state's major doctors group said the ban goes too far. 
 
 The Star Advertiser wrote: 
 
 Bayer said there are limited, active ingredients available within the U.S. with the same proven effectiveness as oxybenzone for sunscreens over SPF 50. The Hawaii Medical Association said it wanted the issue to be studied more deeply because there was a lack of peer-reviewed evidence suggesting sunscreen is a cause of coral bleaching, and overwhelming evidence that not wearing sunscreen increases cancer rates. 
 
 Meanwhile, awareness campaigns about the damage caused by commercial sunscreen have spurred the growth of Hawaiian-made natural products, reported Outside. 
 
 Many Hawaiian businesses are not waiting for the governor to sign the law. They have begun implementing their own bans. "Nonprofits, athletes and hotels in Hawaii are starting to create their own regulations for what can and can't be used," said Caroline Duell, founder of the Safe Sunscreen Council and owner of a natural-sunscreen company.
– Hawaii looks poised to become a world leader in the fight to protect coral reefs with a move that could leave sunscreen brands feeling the heat. A bill banning non-prescription sunscreens containing two chemicals believed to cause coral bleaching easily passed Hawaii's legislature Tuesday—there were just four votes against it in the House—meaning it now goes to Gov. David Ige's desk, reports NPR. If Ige signs the bill, Hawaii will become the first US state to impose a law banning oxybenzone and octinoxate, to take effect in 2021, reports the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. State Sen. Mike Gabbard, who introduced the bill, says it would also be "a first-in-the-world law." And "our island paradise, surrounded by coral reefs, is the perfect place to set the gold standard for the world to follow." As oxybenzone and octinoxate are found in more than 3,500 sunscreen products, including from brands Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone, and Banana Boat, critics fear a ban will encourage people to go without, increasing instances of skin cancer, per NPR and USA Today. But there are plenty of all-natural, Hawaiian-made sunscreens tourists can choose from, reports Outside. It quotes ecotoxicologist Craig Downs, who found 29,000 nanongrams of oxybenzone per liter of seawater at Oahu's Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve in 2017. "Anything above basically 50 nanograms per liter ... can induce toxicity in a variety of marine organisms," he says. A 2015 study cited by NPR notes oxybenzone "leaches the coral of its nutrients" and can "disrupt the development of fish and other wildlife."