Sunscreens part 2: Regulation and safety

Abstract

The second part of this CME article discusses sunscreen regulation and safety considerations for humans and the environment. First, we provide an overview of the history of the US Food and Drug Administration's regulation of sunscreen. Recent Food and Drug Administration studies clearly demonstrate that organic ultraviolet filters are systemically absorbed during routine sunscreen use, but to date there is no evidence of associated negative health effects. We also review the current evidence of sunscreen's association with vitamin D levels and frontal fibrosing alopecia, and recent concerns regarding benzene contamination. Finally, we review the possible environmental effects of ultraviolet filters, particularly coral bleaching. While climate change has been shown to be the primary driver of coral bleaching, laboratory-based studies suggest that organic ultraviolet filters represent an additional contributing factor, which led several localities to ban certain organic filters.

Keywords: CARES Act; GRASE; Hawaii; OTC drugs; PABA; SPF; UVA; UVB; avobenzone; benzene; benzophenones; chemical filters; climate change; contact allergy; contact dermatitis; coral bleaching; coral reefs; deemed final order; frontal fibrosing alopecia; global warming; hypovitaminosis D; inorganic filters; maximal usage trial; nanoparticle; organic filters; oxybenzone; physical filters; proposed rule; reef safe sunscreen; reproductive toxicity; sunscreen; sunscreen monograph; systemic absorption; titanium dioxide; trolamine salicylate; vitamin D; wastewater treatment plants; zinc oxide.