Whilst we’ve all been coating ourselves in sunscreen over summer, the National Measurement Institute has been conducting research that draws the safety of suncare products into question, provoking a media frenzy. We’ve all grown up with that old mantra ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’, but what happens when sunscreen itself may be doing us damage?
By Michelle Balogh.
Testing by NMI has revealed that many Australian sunscreen and cosmetic products still contain anatase titanium dioxide, despite warnings that it may generate free radicals which could damage DNA and protein. The testing found the chemical present in 6 out of the 8 products that were tested.
‘Scientists have warned that anatase titanium dioxide is ‘capable of destroying virtually any organic matter’ and questioned its use in sunscreens.’ said Louise Sales, Nanotechnology Coordinator with Friends of the Earth.
Sales challenges the governments lack of action in regards to potentially dangerous cosmetics saying ‘Friends of the Earth is calling for an immediate ban on the use of anatase titanium dioxide in sunscreen and for the safety testing and labelling of nano-ingredients in sunscreen. Europe will require the safety testing and labelling of nano-ingredients in sunscreens from July this year. Surely Australians deserve the same protection.’
But are these concerns legitimate, or pure sensationalism? After decades of ‘Slip’ing at the beach, it’s difficult to think of sunscreen as anything but a life-saver. Rescu. spoke to Christine Snow of True Solutions International about the potential danger of nano-ingredients.
‘Scientific evidence and expert Regulatory Agency assessments state that sunscreens help protect us all from harm,’ said Snow. ‘The Australian Department of Health and Ageing and the Therapeutic Goods Administration have also confirmed the safety of sunscreens that may contain nano-ingredients. The Cancer Council have also publicly supported the use of sunscreens, including those that may contain nano-ingredients.’
Snow insists that evidence points towards using sunscreen being far safer than exposing skin to the sun without protection. With the backing of significant bodies such as The Cancer Council, it seems we shouldn’t clear out the toiletry cabinet right away. It’s important to question the chemicals that we put into our bodies and on our skin, but for now, it seems that ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ still holds strong.
