Title
OXYBENZONE, OCTINOXATE, AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT (IEM-45)
Description
The Committee is in receipt of the following:
1. County Communication 17-316, from Councilmember Elle Cochran, relating to oxybenzone and its effects on the environment.
2. Correspondence dated October 10, 2017, to the Department of the Corporation Counsel, transmitting a proposed bill entitled “A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A NEW CHAPTER 20. ___, MAUI COUNTY CODE, PROHIBITING THE SALE OF PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS CONTAINING OXYBENZONE AND OCTINOXATE.” The purpose of the proposed bill is to protect Maui’s coral reefs and marine life by regulating the sale of personal care products containing oxybenzone or octinoxate, and to promote the use of alternative products providing broad spectrum protection from the sun without harmful effects on the environment.
3. Correspondence dated October 10, 2017, to the Department of the Corporation Counsel, transmitting a proposed bill entitled “A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A NEW CHAPTER 20. ___, MAUI COUNTY CODE, PROHIBITING THE SALE AND USE OF PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS CONTAINING OXYBENZONE AND OCTINOXATE.” The purpose of the proposed bill is to protect Maui’s coral reefs and marine life by regulating the sale and use of personal care products containing oxybenzone or octinoxate, and to promote the use of alternative products providing broad spectrum protection from the sun without harmful effects on the environment.
4. Correspondence dated October 18, 2017, from Craig A. Downs, Ph.D., Executive Director, Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, transmitting scientific data relating to the Ahihi and Maui Sunscreen Chemical Survey Results of 2015 and partial 2017.
5. Correspondence dated November 6, 2017, from Joe DiNardo, MS, retired Scientist and Toxicologist, transmitting a review article entitled “Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone/benzophenone-3”, and a presentation entitled “Aloha Aina, the Solution, Questions, the Dance, Science, Misnomers.”
6. Correspondence dated November 7, 2017, from Committee Chair transmitting a presentation by Craig A. Downs, Ph.D., Executive Director, Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, entitled “Oxybenzone and Octinoxate Sunscreen Pollution and the Threat to Maui’s Coral Reefs.”
Status
The Committee may receive presentations from Craig A. Downs, Ph.D., Executive Director, Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, and Joe DiNardo, MS, retired Research Scientist and Toxicologist, on the effects of sunscreen, oxybenzone and octinoxate on Maui’s Coral Reefs. The Committee may consider whether to recommend passage of either proposed bill on first reading, with or without revisions. The Committee may also consider the filing of County Communication 17-316 and other related action.