Developing ocean-friendly sunscreens
Common sunscreens include chemicals and active ingredients that have detrimental effects on coral reefs and other aquatic life. The researchers have identified a set of naturally occurring viruses produced by bacteria that can absorb UV light. These materials are safe, structurally stable, completely biodegradable, inexpensive, and non-toxic to human cells or aquatic bacteria. This project aims to develop this technology for use in novel sunscreens that will protect against skin cancers without damaging oceans and reefs.
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Stanford marine biologists, epidemiologists, geneticists, engineers, and others soon will collaborate to develop new water purification technology, build healthier homes, make electric vehicle battery recycling safer, create ocean-friendly sunscreens, and more.
Conventional sunscreen ingredients can damage coral reefs and human health. An immunologist and a marine ecologist teamed up to develop a better approach.