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Maui County's Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division is working with businesses and suppliers to help ensure a smooth transition to mineral-based sunscreen products as a new law goes into effect on Oct. 1.
Under the new ordinance only mineral sunscreens based on active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide will be allowed for sale, distribution or use without a prescription.
Research continues to show the negative impacts to marine life including reduced fish reproduction as well as coral bleaching and DNA damage, according to a news release. Most recently, a community-based, scientific paper, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, also concluded that beach shower runoff throughout Hawaii contains high concentrations of sunscreen chemicals that can pose a threat to marine ecosystems.
The EP&S Division has been contacting retailers to gauge their readiness and offer education and support during the transition. Many businesses with close ties to the ocean environment have already made the switch, according to the county.
EP&S will continue to assist companies affected by the ordinance. For more information on the Mineral Only Sunscreen Ordinance 5306, visit: http://www.mauicounty.gov/sunscreen.