HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0771.504 2020-2022 From: Lynn Pelletier
Sent: Tuesday,June 14, 2022 4:12 AM
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To: Council TestimonyL` `
Cc: malina.fagan@gmail.com
Subject: Testimony to Prohibit Non-Mineral Sunscreens
Aloha County Council Members,
This testimony is coming from Malina Fagan and Lynn Pelletier - the filmmakers of the award winning
documentary "Reefs At Risk," which was filmed in Hawai'i in 2016 and helped expose the harmful effects of
sunscreen pollution on coral reefs, marine life, and human health. (You can watch the 10 minute film for
free here: Reefs At Risk)
"Reefs At Risk" screened internationally in front of millions of viewers, appeared on Hawaiian Airlines for
over a year, was featured by Upworthy, and played at film festivals and venues throughout Hawaii. If you
attended any of our in person screenings, Q&A's or sunscreen swaps you would have heard us celebrate
the legislation passing but also comment that "it is just a drop in the bucket, please urge your leaders to
pass stronger legislation and use non-nano zinc sunblocks in the meantime."
Although banning sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate was progress, unfortunately there are many
other harmful chemicals found in the majority of sunscreens currently sold in Hawaii. Homosalate,
oxtocrylene, octisalate, as well as parabens and synthetic fragrances are not only harmful for our fragile
marine ecosystems -- they also don't do our bodies any good either. A respected scientist we interviewed
for our film shared that he doesn't even allow his kids to swim in public pools due to the second hand
exposure of the hormone disrupting chemicals in the sunscreens. If you aren't yet convinced of the dangers
of these chemicals, then we highly recommend reading the book "Sunscreens Bio-hazard: Treat as
Hazardous Waste" by Elizabeth Plourde. After doing more research you will see that wearing sun
protective clothing is really the best and most eco-friendly option available when it comes to protecting
yourself from UV rays.
After doing extensive research for our film and consulting with many marine biologists and experts on
marine toxicology, we strongly feel that the current legislation banning sunscreens with oxybenzone and
octinoxate is insufficient and amending the bill to apply to all chemical sunscreens would be a huge win for
our marine ecosystems and the health of our community. Our coral reefs have enough challenges. We can
at least eliminate a simple and direct source of pollution such as chemical sunscreens.
Although some mineral sunscreens have gotten a bad rep due to their thick whiteness, many brands have
come a long way in delivering products that are both effective and aesthetic. You can now find tinted
mineral sunscreens and ones that rub in rather well. By passing such an amendment you will also be
helping smaller "reef safe" sunblock companies, many of which are locally made in Hawai'i and use
recycled materials for their packaging.
Lastly, but also importantly, we would caution and recommend putting in the legislation the word "non-
nano" mineral based sunscreens as nano particles pose other toxicity problems to humans, coral and
marine life.
If you have any questions please reach out to us or visit h_ttp://www.ReefsAtRisk.org
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We are thrilled to see powerful legislation like this put forward and thank you for your support of this
amendment which would be very effective in reducing sunscreen pollution.
Mahalo nui loa,
Malina Fagan & Lynn Pelletier
QirectorslProducers "Reefs At Risk"
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