HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0771.023 2020-2022 WC
• bill i67
GO*1111
COUNTY CLLUc
From: tbohl8 COUNTY OF HAWAti
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2022 9:40 AM
To: Council Testimony 1011 HAY 17 Ati 9:A8
Subject: Committee on Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management, Bill 167 Non-mineral
sunscreens ban, hearing Tuesday, May 17 noon hearing (I've also requested oral testimony)
Aloha Chair Villegas, Vice Chair Kimball, and members of the Council's Committee on Climate Resilience
and Natural Resource Management!
I am writing on behalf of the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition (HIROC) in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill
167 banning non-mineral sunscreens!
HIROC is a group of coral scientists, educators, filmmakers, local environmental organizations, elected
officials, and others formed to address the crisis facing Hawaii's coral reefs and other marine life.
Healthy coral reefs are critical in protecting our shorelines and beaches from sea. level rise, more intense
storms, and other effects of climate change. Reefs also are essential for Hawaii Island's fisheries, since
many species rely on reefs for shelter and juvenile development. Hawaii's coral reefs are gravely
threatened by ocean warming and acidification from global fossil fuel use and from "local insults" such as
sediments, nutrients from cesspools and other wastewater systems, over-fishing, and sunscreen
chemicals.
The chemical compounds contained in non-mineral sunscreens typically wash off in the water,
inhibit coral growth and reproduction, and harm reef health, contributing to coral bleaching and
death. They also can harm other ocean wildlife.
Chemical sunscreens not only harm the reefs and ocean wildlife, but relying on them also can harm people
by creating a false sense of security where users spend more time in the sun with diminishing protection -
from sunburn, potentially resulting in more skin damage and skin cancers. This is called "sunscreen
abuse." Chemical sunscreens also can harm human health because they are absorbed into the skin,
spread through the body, and candisrupt hormones, even causing some cancers.
Mineral sunscreens (with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are better (less toxic) for the corals and other
marine species because they do not wash off as easily and are better for human health because they are
not absorbed into the body through the skin.
This ordinance would help preserve the health of our precious coral reefs, with resulting protection
of our shorelines and beaches, by allowing only mineral sunscreens to be provided, sold, offered
for sale, or distributed in the County.
Mahalo for considering HIROC's testimony in strong support and for passing Bill 167!
Ted Bohlen (for Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition)
Comm. No. 111. 23
Rep. To: P I CAN Rivl(1
Ref. Dote MAY 1 7 2022
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