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Environmental ° tic .
The Democratic Party of Ha al`1
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June 15, 2022 "
To: The Honorable Maile Medeiros David, Chair
The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung, Vice-Chair °X'
C.1)Hawaii County Council
State ofHawai'i
Re: Bill No. 167,HD 1—An Ordinance Amending Chapter 14 of the Hawaf i County Code
1983 (2016 Edition, as amended),by Adding a New Article Relating to Prohibition of
Non-Mineral Sunscreen
Hearing: Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Conference Room and Via Videoconference
Position: Strong Support
Aloha, Chair David and Vice-Chair Chung and Members of the Hawaii County Council:
The Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii strongly supports Bill 167
and requests that this measure be PASSED by the Hawaii County Council. This bill would
prohibit the sale, offer for sale, or distribution in the County of any sunscreen composed of non-
mineral chemical compounds that are known to inhibit coral growth and degrade the integrity of
our reefs. This prohibition against non-mineral sunscreens is designed to preserve the health,
safety, and welfare of humans and the environment.
On May 28, 2022, the Democratic Party of Hawaii adopted Resolution 2022-25 which
calls for a ban on the sale of sunscreens that contain the toxic chemicals avobenzone and
octocrylene which reinforces the Party's support for Bill 167. Resolution 2022-25 is as follows:
2022-25 Urging the Hawaii State Legislature to ban the sale of sunscreens that contain the toxic
chemicals avobenzone and octocrylene that are harmful to human life, wildlife, and coral ree s
Whereas, More and more research show that avobenzone and octocrylene are life-threatening to
Hawai'i's reefs and human life, including keiki; andfifty organizations, businesses, individuals,
and eminent scientists, representing more that 1,000 constituents and concerned citizens have
voiced their concern over these harmful chemicals which are being used and sold in sunscreen
products; and
.
Ref. o4
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Environmental Caucus of
The Democratic Party of Flawai`i
June 15, 2022
Page 2
Whereas, There is overwhelming evidence proving these chemicals are unsafe and ineffective as
sunscreen that are known worldwide as damaging reef toxics that irreversibly interfere with the
life cycles of Hawai'i's marine life including coral, algae,fish, shellfish, sea urchins, and marine
mammals; and
Whereas, Avobenzone can cause hormonal disruptions and has been shown to be toxic to marine
plants; and octocrylene is a chemical pollutant prevalent in coastal environments, and has been
found in Hawai'i's reefs; and
Whereas, Research shows that octocrylene collects in coral tissue and reduces their resistance to
coral bleaching; that it is a hormone disruptor that has shown to cause deformities in the brains
and reproductive organs of developing fish, possibly threatening entire populations; and it has
been detected in fish and shellfish that are consumed by Hawai'i's residents and visitors; and
octocrylene affects thyroid function and delays testicular development and causes problems with
.female reproductive organs and it also degrades into a chemical called benzophenone which is a
carcinogen; and
Whereas, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has found that sunscreen
chemicals, including octocrylene harms corals, green algae, mussels, sea urchins, fish, and
dolphins; and the Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Disease Control, American
Cancer Society, World Health Organization, as well as hundreds of scientists and dermatologists,
have reported that certain chemical sunscreens ae harmful to many life forms, including humans,
and have not been shown to decrease skin cancer; and
Whereas, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recognize avobenzone and
octocrylene as safe and effective for use in sunscreens; and there are alternative sunscreens that
are FDA approved as safe and effective such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which offer better
skin protection and less environmental harm; and
Resolved, That the Democratic Party of Hawai'i urges the Hawaii State Legislature to ban the
sale of sunscreen that contain the toxic chemicals avobenzone and octocrylene as being harmful
to human life, coral reefs, and reef animals; and be it
Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor
of the State of Hawai'i, President of the Senate; Speaker of the House of Representatives;
Members of the Hawai'i State Legislature;Mayors of the City and County of Honolulu, County of
Hawaii, County of Maui, and County of Kauai; and all members of the Honolulu City Council,
Hawaii County Council;Maui County Council, and Kauai County Council.
[End of Quote]
p Environmental Caucus of
The Democratic Party of IIawai`i
Tune 15, 2022
Page 3
The Environmental Caucus supports a ban on the distribution and sale of sunscreens that
contain non-mineral chemical compounds as being harmful to coral reefs and reef fish. Els such,
we wholeheartedly support this bill and request that it be passed by the Hawai'i County Council.
Mahalo nui loa for this opportunity to testify. Please pass this bill.
Respectfully submitted,
G .
Co-Chairs, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii
Email: to jjsI1aIj �, .r o tie .Q oai