And Bring the Sunscreen

[Woodmonkey]

Summer is the time to slather exposed skin with sunscreen — the thicker, the higher the S.P.F., the better. Yet consumers are confused about which sunscreens work and which could be harmful to humans and the environment. The Food and Drug Administration could help quiet this growing debate by issuing clear safety standards for sunscreens now, while the sun is shining.

The delay is puzzling. The F.D.A. proposed new safety standards and a new ratings system for sunscreens last August. That was followed by the required comment period, an extension of that period — and a long silence from the F.D.A.

In the meantime, the Environmental Working Group, a Washington research organization, issued its own warning about sunscreens. After collecting studies on sunscreens, the group recommended only 15 percent of those on the market with S.P.F. ratings of 15 or higher. The others either did not protect skin enough from some radiation that can cause skin cancer or included ingredients linked to possible health hazards.

Major producers of sunscreens and some dermatologists were alarmed about televised versions of this report. Manufacturers protested that their products are safe and effective. Dr. C. William Hanke, president of the American Academy of Dermatology, reiterated his organization’s recommendation that sun worshipers still use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a S.P.F. rating of at least 15 as part of a skin-protection program. But Dr. Hanke added that dermatologists, like the rest of us, rely on the F.D.A. to confirm the safety of these lotions.

More than one million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in America each year. Deaths from skin cancer are in the thousands. So, until the F.D.A. updates its safety data, here’s their advice: keep wearing sunscreen, lots of it, S.P.F. 15 or higher. Wear more protective clothing and big hats. Spend time outdoors in the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

And, we should add, have a happy summer.

The Source