At last summer is upon us. There are patios to lounge on, trails to hike, bicycles to ride, lakes to swim in and warm Alberta sunshine to bask in. Not so fast. Before you follow the standard advice to slap on some sunscreen to prevent skin cancer, and to spray on some insect repellent to scare off West Nile-carrying mosquitoes, check the ingredients — they may have you running for the cover of your basement.
TOXIC SUNSCREENS
Although not widely known in Canada, there is growing concern stemming from new Swiss and American research on the endocrine-disrupting properties of some chemical sunscreens. The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a respected American think-tank and watchdog organization, recently completed an investigation of 1,014 name-brand sunscreens, and found widespread evidence that many products on the market are not safe and effective.
Dr. Laurie Parsons, a professor of dermatology at the University of Calgary, says there are two types of topical sunscreens that are widely available and work as physical or chemical barriers.
The physical (or mechanical) sunscreens, containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, are “thick and pasty,” containing small molecules that cause sunlight to bounce off the skin. These inert, opaque compounds block almost the entire spectrum of the sun’s damaging rays without causing irritation. “They’re almost like putting clothing on,” Parsons says.
Sunscreens containing chemicals that absorb ultraviolet energy are the ones starting to raise eyebrows. A study released in March 2008 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control showed that 97 per cent of Americans are contaminated with a widely used sunscreen ingredient called oxybenzone, which has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption and cell damage. The EWG identified 588 sunscreens sold in the U.S. (which are also commonly sold in Canada) that contain oxybenzone, including products by Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone and Banana Boat, as well as facial moisturizers, lip balms and lipsticks.
PROTECTION IN QUESTION
Vancouver dermatologist Dr. Jason Rivers says as far as he knows, there’s no conclusive evidence that endocrine-disrupting substances have a major clinical role to play in humans. He is concerned, however, about whether the sunscreens people use actually work as well as they’re supposed to.
Sunscreen effectiveness in Canada is recognized through independent testing at laboratories, which closely mimics the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s testing, which, unfortunately, is “not that great,” according to Rivers. Things are changing in the next few years, however, with the inclusion of UVA testing in SPF rankings.
“You have to have a UVA blocking agent if you’re going to raise an SPF above 10,” he explains. Currently, the SPF rating only recognizes UVB in its measurement.
BACK TO BASICS
There are those who take a complete anti-chemical sunscreen approach. “Our ancestors didn’t wear clothes and had no body hair for one million years and were able to survive in [the sun]” says Dr. Loren Pickart, a biochemist and researcher based in Washington State. He is the author of Reverse Skin Aging: Using Your Skin’s Natural Power, and an advocate of “better tanning with less skin damage.”
Pickart’s personal research backs up the EWG findings. He says that in some sunscreens, up to 35 per cent breaks down and enters the bloodstream. “The average woman takes in about two kilograms of cosmetic ingredients through the skin every year,” he says. “Mineral sunscreens will not absorb into the skin.”
“Many scientists recommend staying away from sunscreen oils and using mineral sunblocks instead,” Pickard says. His advice: Use a good mineral sunscreen, take antioxidants prior to sun exposure and try to limit sun exposure to a maximum of one hour per day.
FUN IN THE SUN?
And what if technical details on chemical sunscreens make you want to bury your head in the sand? “Sunscreens are an adjunct to treatment,” reminds Rivers. For those who are extremely sun-sensitive, broad-spectrum sunscreens that include good UVA protection of at least SPF 30 (containing trademarked ingredients such as Mexoryl, Tinusorb) are a good way to go.
There are many resources to help you make informed choices. The EWG’s Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database, which ranks sunscreens based on wide-reaching criteria, analyzes products on overall effectiveness that considers the following factors: UVB protection, UVA protection and stability. The comprehensive ranking includes all the major brands you’ve probably slathered on your skin through the years (http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens/summary.php).
Rivers evokes Paracelsus, the “father of toxicology,” who famously said, “Everything is a poison in the right dose.” Wise words for sun-worshippers and sun-phobes alike.
AVOIDING PESKY BITERS
If you don’t want to risk burning your skin or exposing yourself to potentially toxic chemicals, and the thought of covering yourself from head to toe in the heat of summer isn’t appealing, another option is to avoid the sun altogether and only venture outdoors in the early morning and evening hours. Unfortunately, that’s when mosquitoes are most active.
Avoiding those pesky biters, which may be carrying West Nile virus, is another necessary summer precaution. West Nile is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause swelling and inflammation of the brain and spinal cord in horses, birds and humans. It is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito — one in five people who do get infected become ill.
Since the first case of West Nile virus was detected in the Calgary Health Region (CHR) in 2003, there have been no related deaths. In 2006, four people living in the CHR contracted West Nile virus, and one person developed the more serious West Nile neurological syndrome.
DEET VS CITRONELLA
Alberta Health and Wellness maintains that insect repellents containing DEET are the only ones proven to work against mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus, although it does acknowledge that products containing oil of lemon and eucalyptus are effective for shorter periods of time as an insect repellent. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (P-menthane 3, 8-diol), produced by Off Botanicals, provides up to two hours of protection.
Calgary’s Dr. Toni Reid, a naturopathic doctor, recommends staying away from DEET, which he considers a probable neurotoxin. According to Reid, natural brands that compare fairly well to DEET in some studies include Repel (containing oil of lemon and eucalyptus) and Bite Block (containing geranium, soy, and coconut oil).
Naturopathic options include geraniol (geranium oil) as well as neem oil, from Azadirachta indica, a tree native to India. One study posted by popular naturopathic doctor Andrew Weil (www.drweil.com) showed that neem oil provided significant insect protection for up to 12 hours. Other effective natural insect repellents are citronella and catnip.
For young children, neither DEET nor “natural” insect repellents are recommended. Howard May from Alberta Health and Wellness has one simple answer for protecting kids: “Cover them up.” Parents should note that it is safe to put a small amount of insect repellent on children’s clothing, as long as it does not come in contact with their skin. For more information on West Nile virus go to www.fightthebite.info.
