Sunscreens that protect your skin from harsh rays of sun are turning out to be killer creams for coral reefs across the world. A new study by a team of international researchers has shown that chemicals in even one drop of sunscreen are enough to damage fragile coral reef systems. In the new research, it has been found that oxygen zone, a common UV-filtering compound, is in high concentrations in the waters around the more popular coral reefs in Hawaii and the Caribbean, two of the regions where this study was conducted. The chemical not only kills the coral, it causes DNA damage in both adults and larvae, making it unlikely that they can develop or live healthy, says a report published by University of Central Florida.

Read More at  www.downtoearth.org.in