Is sunscreen toxic?

Sunscreens have been criticized for containing dangerous chemicals. While this is not true for all sunscreens, some skeptics who doubt the link between ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer use this as a reason to avoid sunscreen altogether.

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Is sunscreen toxic?

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Experts In Science

Scientific American Magazine

Mostly Agree

In all, 84 percent of the 831 sunscreens EWG tested did not pass health and environmental muster. Many contained potentially harmful chemicals like Benzophenone, homosalate and octyl methoxycinnamate (also called octinoxate), which are known to mimic naturally occurring bodily hormones and can thus throw the body’s systems out of whack. Some also contained Padimate-0 and parsol 1789 (also known as avobenzone), which are suspected of causing DNA damage when exposed to sunlight.

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22 Jul 2008 Source

Disagree

Experts In Health

US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Government Department

Disagree

[No, for example] the safety and efficacy data for [the new sunscreen] Anthelios SX included information from 28 studies in over 2500 patients, ranging in age from 6 months to over 65 years old. In addition, the contribution of each of the active ingredients to sun protection was studied. Side effects reported during clinical studies were infrequent and non-serious.

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24 Jul 2006 Source

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