Read Press Release, December 13, 2022.

Read about HEL’s Executive Director.

Mamavation

Coral Repository

In this one-hour video. Dr. Downs talks about the levels of sunscreen chemicals, like oxybenzone, in Maui waters, as well as the toxicity of these UV chemicals to marine organisms.

Hawaii and other tourist hot spots have banned some UV filters found in sunscreen, in part thanks to a fateful snack run for Oreos that put one ecotoxicologist on the trail of unsuspected coral killer. Twenty years later, his search continues amid a cacophony of misinformation about sun protection. Watch the Podcast.

The Inland Ocean Coalition's Vicki Nichols Goldstein sits down virtually with environmental toxicology expert Dr. Craig Downs of Haereticus Environmental Laboratory to discuss reef-safe sunscreen and why it matters. Watch the Video.

For our 50th episode we talk with Dr. Craig Downs, the Hawaiian scientist who discovered and popularized the threat petrochemical-based sunscreens and other skin care products pose to coral reefs, fish and additional marine wildlife. Along with the role of Oreo cookies in his discovery, he talks about the ‘zombification' of reefs and fish exposed to chemicals in sunscreens, what’s being done to address the issue and how you can protect yourself from the sun without killing the Ocean. Watch the Podcast.

On this episode of The Big Blue Marble, we slather on the research with Dr. Craig Downs, a forensic ecotoxicologist. Watch this episode.

Read the transcript of an NPR interview with Dr. Craig Downs.

Listen. Visitors to the Hawaiian island of Oahu marvel at the splendor of Hanauma Bay, a volcanic crater teeming with coral reefs, tropical fish, and the occasional sea turtle. But there’s something else that the snorkelers may notice as they enjoy the bright colors of a local rainbow-hued parrot fish.

The second 'State of the Ocean' report by the International Programme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO) and IUCN is released today, October 3rd 2013. The report confirms the IPCC's recent findings that the ocean is bearing the brunt of climate change, but says additional impacts, such as deoxygenation, overfishing and pollution are creating a deadly combination which means the ocean's ability to act as Earth's buffer is seriously compromised. Here, IPSO contributing scientist Craig Downs explains how pollutants are compromising the reproductive health of marine organisms. Watch Video.

Set on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii, “Reefs at Risk” explores the harmful effects some sunscreen chemicals have on coral reefs, marine life and people. In order to protect this fragile ecosystem, Hawaii lawmakers pass a bill to ban the sale of sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate. Watch Video.