Arch Environ Contam Toxicol February 2016 PMID 26487337

Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and Its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

C A Downs, Esti Kramarsky-Winter, Roee Segal, John Fauth, Sean Knutson, Omri Bronstein, Frederic R Ciner, Rina Jeger, Yona Lichtenfeld, Cheryl M Woodley, Paul Pennington, Kelli Cadenas, Ariel Kushmaro, Yossi Loya

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Mentions

475
Peak: 5 in Jul 2023
across 5 sources since Oct 2015

Extended reach

691,928
potential audience

Total likes

6,324

Video views

565,148

Mentions per month

Oct 2015 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Throughout the discussions, users frequently cite scientific findings, such as the minimum concentration of oxybenzone damaging corals being 62 ppt, and emphasize the harmful effects chemicals in sunscreens have on marine ecosystems. The tone often underscores urgency and concern, with words like 'alarming,' 'killing reefs,' and 'hazard,' illustrating a sense of environmental crisis and calling for alternatives like mineral-based sunscreens. This choice of words and context clearly reflect a collective recognition of the research's significant environmental impact.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions strongly agree that oxybenzone in sunscreens poses a significant threat to coral reefs, with posts emphasizing the toxic effects and environmental risks.

InterestHigh interest

Participants display high curiosity and concern, citing scientific studies, specific chemical effects, and environmental implications, indicating keen engagement.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many discussions reference detailed research, mention specific chemicals like oxybenzone, and suggest alternative protective methods, reflecting deep involvement with the topic.

ImpactHigh impact

Several posts highlight the critical environmental consequences and call for action or policy change, underscoring the perceived high impact of the research findings.

Abstract in brief

  • Oxybenzone, a chemical in sunscreens, poses toxic risks to corals by causing bleaching, deformities, DNA damage, and disrupting skeleton formation, especially under sunlight.
  • Experiments showed that corals and their cells are more vulnerable to oxybenzone in light conditions, with lower lethal concentrations compared to darkness, indicating increased phototoxicity.
  • Oxybenzone contamination levels in reef waters vary across locations like Hawaii and the US Virgin Islands, often exceeding levels harmful to corals, raising environmental concerns about its presence in marine ecosystems.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
spencer
@Unpop_Science · X

Apparently there’s a popular narrative that combines “pro-science” petrochemical PR and “stop blaming consumers” rhetoric to arrive at the conclusion that coral toxicology is pseudoscience and benzophenones are safe for both corals and humans. https://t.co/9sGqU0ZLlz https://t.co/3vuOVlzsEE

Sep 14, 2021 · 16 likes · 1 share · 14,411 followers View post →
spencer
@Unpop_Science · X

Please respect environmental laws, whatever country you find yourself in or however logical you find them to be. Coral caretakers wrote these sunscreen regulations. They are minimizing risks posed by climate to coral, not distracting from them. https://t.co/1bKy5D2sH2 https://t.co/jyiYxFEZq5

Jun 12, 2022 · 12 likes · 14,411 followers View post →
Pablo Richly
@PabloRichly · X

Dos factores a considerar en toda discusión sobre protector solar son que 1) es mercado muy lucrativo https://t.co/3TMRJVwXbS y 2) puede ser poco ecológico en muchos casos https://t.co/JuY6XGittd.

Jan 12, 2020 · 12 likes · 2 shares · 6,728 followers View post →
高遠 頼@生命科学VTuber(たかとー らい) 定期科学ニュース配信(日)
@takatoh_life · X

【参考文献1/2】 Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and Its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands https://t.co/4qgdKycK6q

May 6, 2022 · 11 likes · 14,070 followers View post →
NaomiOreskes
@NaomiOreskes · X

I don't know about bleaching, but this paper certainly finds evidence of oxybenzone toxicity: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology February 2016, Volume 70, Issue 2, pp 265–288 https://t.co/EqkFoWwceX Comments?

Feb 4, 2019 · 4 likes · 34,574 followers View post →
Pablo Richly
@PabloRichly · X

Un detalle. El protector solar es un mercado muy lucrativo https://t.co/3TMRJVwXbS pero poco ecológico en muchos casos https://t.co/JuY6XGittd.

Jan 14, 2019 · 4 likes · 1 share · 6,728 followers View post →

All mentions

Wheels McFantini
@WheelsMcFantini · X

@WilhelmArnesen @suchnerve https://t.co/FvPcmxKr8u Less "sunscreen destroys reefs" More "these two chemicals that are used in sunscreens destroy reefs" Sunscreen and reefs can be friends, just not ones with the two offending chemicals

Jun 3, 2025 · 1,256 followers View post →
Chris
@Chris_Flores_B · X

@ferrzavala Por si quieres considerar que no contenga Oxibenzone, al parecer es el diablo.

Mar 22, 2024 · 561 followers View post →
Dhritiman Deka
@GreenAssam · X

https://t.co/3MKk8MuJS7

Sep 2, 2023 · 1,454 followers View post →
David MF Thayer
@David_MF_Thayer · X

@detroitnews They've been bleaching, chemicals in sunscreen have been killing reefs for many years.https://t.co/AZZpErivsY

Jul 21, 2023 · 9 followers View post →
Vaishnavi Bhargava
@vaishnavi_legal · X

Alarming facts: Sunscreen is killing the Oceans & our planets life support system. The lowest concentration of oxybenzone that has been shown to damage corals is 62 parts per trillion (ppt). https://t.co/p96AM7xkL1

Jul 16, 2023 · 661 followers View post →
Dhritiman Deka
@GreenAssam · X

https://t.co/3MKk8MuJS7

Jul 13, 2023 · 1,454 followers View post →
Josef Mouris
@jjmouris · X

@mayemusk But we also have responsibility to use the right kind of sun protection or else….. https://t.co/oqy7cM6hwc

Jul 12, 2023 · 67 followers View post →
Nell Peters
@NellPeters123 · X

@DanNeidle Sunscreen is killing the Oceans and our planets life support system The lowest concentration of oxybenzone that has been shown to damage corals is 62 parts per trillion (ppt). https://t.co/iafcoUEwcB Indirect huge costs to society. Hats, clothing and shade are much cheaper.

Jul 12, 2023 · 1 like · 152 followers View post →
Haereticus Environmental Laboratory
@HaereticusL · X

The orignal science paper that demonstrated that oxybenzone, a chemical in many sunscreens, causes coral bleaching and is incredibly toxic to juvenile corals - killing the next generation and creating "zombies." Read the science at https://t.co/Eq1ojBm6RE https://t.co/E4cYVo07pZ

Jan 18, 2023 · 292 followers View post →
spencer
@Unpop_Science · X

Please respect environmental laws, whatever country you find yourself in or however logical you find them to be. Coral caretakers wrote these sunscreen regulations. They are minimizing risks posed by climate to coral, not distracting from them. https://t.co/1bKy5D2sH2 https://t.co/jyiYxFEZq5

Jun 12, 2022 · 12 likes · 14,411 followers View post →
高遠 頼@生命科学VTuber(たかとー らい) 定期科学ニュース配信(日)
@takatoh_life · X

【参考文献1/2】 Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and Its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands https://t.co/4qgdKycK6q

May 6, 2022 · 11 likes · 14,070 followers View post →
Sopida Wongwas
@sopidayy · X

@Rehema1234 Thank you ☺️ In current sunscreens, some UV filters like oxybenzone are used as UV filters. In my project, I'm making MAAs to use as UV filters instead of commercial UV filters like oxybenzone. https://t.co/iV8LUDEA71

Mar 2, 2022 · 1 like · 356 followers View post →
Syd
@SquidneyAddison · X

RT @selmajusufovic2: Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured … h…

Nov 15, 2021 · 1 share · 291 followers View post →
selma jusufovic
@selmajusufovic2 · X

Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured … https://t.co/eJgmH3ei13 Oxybenzone poses a hazard to coral reef conservation and threatens the resiliency of coral reefs to climate change #prescottchem

Nov 14, 2021 · 1 share · 10 followers View post →
Gidelmar
@Gil04101 · X

https://t.co/NxYbJ5oqg9

Oct 30, 2021 · 489 followers View post →
nonviolence news
@nonviolentnews9 · X

RT @Unpop_Science: Apparently there’s a popular narrative that combines “pro-science” petrochemical PR and “stop blaming consumers” rhetori…

Sep 16, 2021 · 1 share · 1,847 followers View post →
spencer
@Unpop_Science · X

Apparently there’s a popular narrative that combines “pro-science” petrochemical PR and “stop blaming consumers” rhetoric to arrive at the conclusion that coral toxicology is pseudoscience and benzophenones are safe for both corals and humans. https://t.co/9sGqU0ZLlz https://t.co/3vuOVlzsEE

Sep 14, 2021 · 16 likes · 1 share · 14,411 followers View post →
Haereticus Environmental Laboratory
@HaereticusL · X

https://t.co/1yifYuKBJW https://t.co/2f0ODmbyz1

Sep 3, 2021 · 292 followers View post →
Million Marker
@Million_Marker · X

@RyanMarino @FeministRabble This study suggests yes: https://t.co/7vC4VvcYXh

Aug 16, 2021 · 1 like · 423 followers View post →
ต้องลดน้ำหนักแล้ววว้อยย
@OoOPANG · X

สารกันแดดที่ทำให้เกิด coral bleaching ที่มีการศึกษาหลักๆจะเปน chemical sunscreen พวก oxybenzone นะคะ ถ้าเลี่ยงมาใช้ physical sunscreen อย่าง zinc/titanium dioxide จะปลอดภัยกับปะการังและตัวคนมากกว่า แต่มีข้อเสียคือต้องเติมบ่อยๆจ้า https://t.co/FSH1veKZsX https://t.co/QMCDUnbPdh

Nov 24, 2020 · 1 like · 410 followers View post →
Argonaut.
@hzlmshmn · X

Here are the summary of the studies. cc: labmuffin Links: https://t.co/NAnekjh1mH https://t.co/V90Vtc3Z9O https://t.co/K85GaySvp2 https://t.co/GMlx1QlKKY https://t.co/t1QRuQ3iiS

Oct 5, 2020 · 1,271 followers View post →
Gabriel Fernández
@zorbete · X

RT @PabloRichly: Dos factores a considerar en toda discusión sobre protector solar son que 1) es mercado muy lucrativo https://t.co/3TMRJVw…

Jan 13, 2020 · 2 shares · 617 followers View post →
Pablo Richly
@PabloRichly · X

Dos factores a considerar en toda discusión sobre protector solar son que 1) es mercado muy lucrativo https://t.co/3TMRJVwXbS y 2) puede ser poco ecológico en muchos casos https://t.co/JuY6XGittd.

Jan 12, 2020 · 12 likes · 2 shares · 6,728 followers View post →
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff
@rachellsarnoff · X

New study finds even the smallest amounts of #oxybenzone in #sunscreen can harm coral reefs. What's the answer? Zinc! https://t.co/srgkNMtF0P #safersunscreen #naturalbeauty #natural #organic #skincare #organicskincare

Aug 1, 2019 · 6,806 followers View post →
t͒͒͝h̫͒͒e̫͒͒ c͒ͧ͒o͒̊͒w͒̉͒ p̼͒͒a͒͒͜l᷂͒͒a͒̍͒c͒ͤ͒e͒͒͘
@Cow_Palace · X

@birdmoths @caromholland i'm not hostile towards the protesters, but it feels like somewhat misplaced focus, given that deforestation and #climatechange are of great concern to hawaii as a sacred space https://t.co/TTEqBxreYH https://t.co/qfjUDt9wf8 https://t.co/yV8JAeGSTq

Jul 17, 2019 · 771 followers View post →
まっくないふ
@Mack_Knife_ · X

@takz999 @EbiyOLuN6zy3e30 @fm21wannuumui それって オキシベンゾンを一定量サンゴが摂取したら白化する ってのと同じだろ 英語読めるならこれ読んでクレメンス https://t.co/oOaUBba0BD

Jul 15, 2019 · 1,783 followers View post →
Mr MT
@mrEmTee · X

@Peasweat2 @ChrissieGrech @dad_centrist Just found some research from 2015 in Hawaii https://t.co/5SRjIDDx48

Jun 28, 2019 · 1 like · 5,821 followers View post →
Mr MT
@mrEmTee · X

@1GrumpyOldBloke @Peasweat2 @ChrissieGrech @dad_centrist Drat - you beat me to it! Link to research is https://t.co/5SRjIDDx48

Jun 28, 2019 · 2 likes · 5,821 followers View post →
Yossarian Bombardier
@YossBombar · X

@GeorgeMonbiot @GarnierUK Check the ingredients first too: https://t.co/xbBswoimoC

Jun 23, 2019 · 74 followers View post →
EmergingTech Project
@FoEEmergingTech · X

@sawsharkman @synapse101 @ConversationEDU Why do you say there is little evidence? There have been quite a few studies published that suggest a threat. Like this one: https://t.co/qQ7yLhn0KV

May 22, 2019 · 1,114 followers View post →
Sibly McCullers
@ylbis_backwards · X

RT @oceaneverblue: RESEARCH PAPER // Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae…

Mar 16, 2019 · 2 shares · 14 followers View post →
Elon Musk Is Big Suck
@LeoZaklikowski · X

RT @oceaneverblue: RESEARCH PAPER // Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae…

Mar 15, 2019 · 2 shares · 39 followers View post →
e v e r b l u e
@oceaneverblue · X

RESEARCH PAPER // Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and Its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Downs et al. 2016. #keeptheoceaneverblue

Mar 14, 2019 · 2 likes · 2 shares · 281 followers View post →
SeaTurtleBot4000
@SeaTurtleBot · X

RT @WellBlest: Looking at Maui’s beautiful coral reef reserve. Did you know #coralreefs are getting poisoned by #toxic-chemicals that we ap…

Feb 16, 2019 · 1 share · 718 followers View post →
walkwithme
@WellBlest · X

Looking at Maui’s beautiful coral reef reserve. Did you know #coralreefs are getting poisoned by #toxic-chemicals that we apply to our skin before we swim? Choose #ecofriendly #environmentally wise products. Always. #seaturtles #findingNemo https://t.co/mnv3T5bhEG

Feb 16, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 136 followers View post →
NaomiOreskes
@NaomiOreskes · X

I don't know about bleaching, but this paper certainly finds evidence of oxybenzone toxicity: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology February 2016, Volume 70, Issue 2, pp 265–288 https://t.co/EqkFoWwceX Comments?

Feb 4, 2019 · 4 likes · 34,574 followers View post →
@fbr_2541
@fbr_2541 · X

@ProfTerryHughes @ReclaimAnglesea Paywalled article of relevance: https://t.co/G53EOgICCD

Jan 22, 2019 · 502 followers View post →
Bill Weller
@billionweller · X

@172Kyle @CynthiaSmoot https://t.co/98ygIHBMK3

Jan 16, 2019 · 36 followers View post →
Pablo Richly
@PabloRichly · X

Un detalle. El protector solar es un mercado muy lucrativo https://t.co/3TMRJVwXbS pero poco ecológico en muchos casos https://t.co/JuY6XGittd.

Jan 14, 2019 · 4 likes · 1 share · 6,728 followers View post →