Environmental watch

June 22, 2007 | Print

EWG Sunscreen Study

The Environmental Working Group just completed a comprehensive Sunscreen Study.

EWG rates sunscreens for health hazard and sun hazard, and then gives each sunscreen a collective score. Sun hazard is based on a product’s protection against UVB and UVA rays as well as how quickly it breaks down when exposed to the sun (which makes a sunscreen less effective).

EWG finds that many sunscreens are not effective against harmful UVA rays. No sunscreen receives a perfect health hazard score as even the minerals used in more natural sunscreens have links to health issues. There’s also information about nanoparticles (also see The Green Guide on nano-sized particles) sunscreen tips and sun safety tips for kids.

To get EWG information direct, sign up for their bimonthly EWG updates (to the left of the Sunscreen Summary).

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