As the summer sunshine sends thousands flocking to the South West’s coastline, researchers from the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) have highlighted the potential for sunscreens to damage the marine environment.
Writing for The Conversation, they have also offered advice on how to choose a product that protects from the sun’s rays without causing harm to the environment.
The article has been written by PhD researcher Anneliese Hodge, who is working with experts in ecotoxicology, marine chemistry and ecology at the University and PML to examine how sunscreens might impact a range of marine species.
In the piece, she writes about her own journey to try and understand the pathways in which sunscreens enter our waterways and how to balance effective sun protection against environmental protection.
