Sunscreen is killing the coral reef: Scientists
Q. Which product is killing coral reefs across the world, according to a study conducted on 21st October 2015?- Published on 23 Oct 15a. Deodorant
b. Sunscreen
c. Perfume
d. None of the above
ANSWER: Sunscreen
Scientists have found lathering up with sunscreen may protect against cancer, but it is killing coral reefs across the globes. A common UV filtering compound oxybenzone has destroyed the corals by inducing damage in DNA at the larval stage coming in the way of their proper development. 80% of the coral reefs in the Caribbean have been lost so far. Oxybenzone also causes coral bleaching which leads to coral mortality all over the world. Cells from as many as 7 species of corals were killed by oxybenzone and three of these species are already endangered as per the US Endangered Species Act. Oxybenzone also threatens resilience of coral reefs to climate change.
