Sunscreen Laws For Sun-Deprived Children Raise Questions of Benefits Versus Chemical Exposures

By 2023, 27 states have embedded SUNucate-inspired policies into their legislative matrix amid rising concerns over skin cancer.

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In an era where classrooms transform into digital spaces and playgrounds often remain silent, the simple act of basking in the sun is now a rarity for many children.

Recent legislation has further complicated this relationship. The SUNucate laws, which might appear benign at first look, bring to the forefront the question: How much should the government intervene in our children’s daily lives? Are we, perhaps, shading our children too much?

Prolonged sunshine, while essential for vitamin D synthesis, comes with risks. Consequently, schools navigate a gray area between safety and regulation. With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizing sunscreen as an over-the-counter drug, many states barred students from carrying and applying it on school premises. The result? Students desiring sun protection had to leap through bureaucratic hoops—acquiring physician notes and often applying sunscreen under the supervision of a school nurse.

The SUNucate coalition, guided by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association (ASDSA) and supported by over 50 stakeholders, set out on a mission. By permitting students to apply sunscreen and don sun-protective clothing—even if it means bending dress code rules—the coalition champions a progressive stance on sun safety.

The coalition’s ethos is aptly captured on their website: “In order to protect students from dangerous UV exposure while outdoors at school or camps, ASDSA created the SUNucate Coalition.” This commitment is further underscored by a position paper from the ASDSA, which notes, “The use of sunscreen at a young age is a critical and necessary component of skin cancer prevention.”

Their ambitions, however, extend beyond just protective measures. They believe sun safety should be seamlessly integrated into education, urging schools to adopt policies that educate about sun exposure and encourage students to take proactive steps.

Backing this mission are industry giants like the American Medical Association, the American Melanoma Foundation, and numerous national and state medical organizations. And the push isn’t limited to just this coalition. With rising skin cancer rates, the medical community and concerned parents call for preventative measures. Their call has been heeded by 27 states, with each embedding SUNucate-inspired policies into their legislative matrix.

“These laws provide clarity to students, parents, and educators,” comments Brandyn Churchill, an assistant professor of resource economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and co-author of a study on SUNucate laws. “For legislators, they are low-cost and relatively uncontroversial. This seems to be one of the few bipartisan issues of our time: Kids should use sunscreen.”

How SUNucate Laws Shape Online Behavior

The real-world effects of legislative decisions can often ripple out, influencing even our digital habits. Such is the case with SUNucate laws, which appear to reverberate in the online space, hinting at a shift in public perception towards sun safety.

Backed by the American Cancer Society, Mr. Churchill’s team delved into Google search data from 2004 to 2022, investigating any correlation between SUNucate laws and sun protection queries.

The findings? States that embraced SUNucate laws saw a significant uptick in sun protection-related Google searches. Notably, “sunscreen” searches jumped by 27.2 percent in SUNucate-adopting states versus those without.

Beyond search data, SUNucate’s influence was palpable. Drawing from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Mr. Churchill noted an 8.3 percent rise in sunscreen usage among high schoolers in SUNucate-law states.

However, context is paramount. While increased Google searches indicate heightened engagement, it prompts reflection—is this a true awareness uptick or a mere compliance-driven blip? As the data hints at a broader engagement with sun safety, the bigger question looms—is this a passing phase or a seismic shift in our understanding of sun exposure and its health implications?

Weighing Sun Benefits Against Legislative Overreach

Children’s Sun-Starved Lives

Today’s youth are spending less time outdoors than ever before. Shockingly, while U.S. prison inmates are guaranteed at least an hour outside daily, the National Recreation and Park Association reports that children today are out for a mere four to seven minutes daily for unstructured play.

Screen time dominates modern childhood. The “Nature of Americans National Report” indicates children aged 8 to 12 spend three times as much time with digital devices than being outdoors, making limited outdoor activity the new norm.

Sun’s Essential Offerings 

Beyond the joys of sunny outdoor play, the sun is our primary vitamin D source. Almost 90 percent of our daily intake is synthesized through the skin’s interaction with ultraviolet (UV) rays. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, immunity, mood regulation, and heart health through nitric oxide production.

However, few children are spending enough time outdoors to render the benefits of the sun on vitamin D production, and rising vitamin D deficiency in American children suggests impending health complications.

Dr. Michael F. Holick, a renowned professor of endocrinology at Boston University, has been at the forefront of this discourse. “The World Health Organization, Cancer Council for Australia, and the British Dermatology Society have all come around to endorsing some degree of sun exposure for vitamin D—a stance I’ve championed for three decades,” he told The Epoch Times.

Dr. Holick highlights the sometimes-overlooked side effects of vigilant sun protection: “A properly applied sunscreen with an SPF of 30 diminishes vitamin D production by an astonishing 97.5 percent.” But it’s not all about avoiding the sun. Striking a balance is key. “While it’s imperative to shield the face—the arms, legs, abdomen, and back can be opportune for vitamin D production,” he advises.

His dedication led to the development of the dminder app, which advises users on optimal sun exposure times and when to seek shade, offering a responsible approach in an increasingly indoor-oriented age. “I think the app can help guide parents regarding sensible sun exposure,” he suggests.

Sunscreen Quandary

Amidst the nationwide push for increased sun safety, a growing quandary looms—the safety of sunscreen ingredients themselves. As parents hurriedly apply generous layers of these lotions on their children, a critical question emerges: While protecting their skin from UV rays, are they inadvertently exposing them to harmful chemicals?

A small 2019 study by The Journal of the American Medical Association raised eyebrows when it revealed that chemicals from four off-the-shelf sunscreens found their way into the bloodstream of healthy participants after only one use. This revelation was further echoed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which confirmed that various sunscreen components can indeed permeate the bloodstream in as little as 24 hours.

Such revelations have sparked scrutiny and alarm. The FDA’s 2021 order gave a clean bill of health only to zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, deeming them definitively safe and effective. This decision casts doubt on numerous other ingredients in popular sunscreens.

The ramifications extend beyond human health. Certain chemicals, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been linked not only to potential hormone disruptions but also to damage to coral reefs.

Andrew Huberman, a renowned researcher who holds a doctorate in neuroscience from the University of California, Davis amplified this growing apprehension on his podcast. “I think people are really afraid of getting out into the sun because they’re worried about melanomas. And, to be honest, I’m as scared of sunscreen as I am of melanoma. Some of the things in sunscreen are really spooky, mainly the compound,” he remarked.

The worries extend beyond mere academic debates. Real-world consequences surfaced earlier this year as Edgewell Personal Care Company broadened its recall of Banana Boat Sunscreen Spray. Traces of benzene were discovered in four product batches, a chemical linked to serious health risks such as leukemia and blood disorders.

Navigating SUNucate: Balancing Protection and Appreciation

The intricacies of sun safety extend far beyond mere UV exposure. With the evolving understanding of sunscreen formulations and their potential repercussions, one wonders if the narrative on sun protection is complete.

SUNucate primarily centers its educational efforts on the dangers of UV light exposure and the significance of sunscreen use. Notably absent from their curriculum are discussions on the benefits of sunlight as it relates to vitamin D or potential risks associated with sunscreen ingredients. In direct communication with The Epoch Times, the ASDSA underscored their distinct purview, stating: “We do not weigh in on the type of sunscreen, deferring instead to the FDA’s guidance.”

Amid growing concerns about government overreach, questions also arise regarding the extent to which legislation should govern sunscreen use in educational settings. Mr. Churchill addresses these concerns by highlighting the foundational principle of the SUNucate bill. “The legislation does not compel anyone to wear sunscreen. Instead, it just clarifies that students have the freedom to make that choice if they so wish.” he elucidated.

In our increasingly digital world, children’s interactions with the outdoors are diminishing, reshaping their relationship with the sun. Reduced exposure compromises their vitamin D synthesis, making them more vulnerable to sunburns when they do venture out.

Amidst this shift, an imperative question emerges: Should schools and governments be singularly highlighting the dangers of the sun without emphasizing its significance and benefits? Is it their place to legislate sunscreen use, or should this be a decision entrusted to parents? Balancing the sun’s vital importance with its potential threats demands a nuanced approach.

As the narrative of sun safety continues to unfold, influenced by measures like SUNucate and others, the path forward remains to be charted. The sun, after all, waits for no one.