Thailand bans sunscreen with harmful chemicals for coral reefs in country’s national parks. The Royal Gazette has announced the prohibition of the use of sunscreen that contains any of four chemicals considered to be harmful to coral reefs in the national parks, effective August 4th, 2021 onwards.

The use of sunscreen with oxybenzone, Octinoxate, 4MBC, and Butylparaben are banned in the country’s national parks as such chemicals are damaging corals every year, according to the order. According to academic studies, chemicals found in sunscreen have damaged coral embryos, obstruct the corals’ reproduction system and lead to coral bleaching. About 3,500 brands of sunscreen were discovered to contain at least one of the harmful chemicals, according to the studies citing by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Violators will be charged for violating section 20 of the National Park Act B.E. 2522 and can be fined up to 100,000 baht.

Tourists are strongly encouraged to use water-resistant sunscreen or sunscreens with mineral-based products, such as zinc oxide, during their visit to the national parks.