According to recent findings from an environmental research group some very popular brands of sunscreen are either ineffective or contain chemicals that are unsafe.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is now calling on the FDA to implement label changes so they provide more descriptive information for consumers.
Group Fights for Change
The EWG has asked the FDA to require sunscreen manufacturers to test and label their products to ensure that they protect against ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation.
Although the new labels were proposed by the FDA last year, no changes have been finalized yet.
Old Labels No Longer Safe
The current labels on sunscreen were reportedly issue three decades ago and only measure protection from UVB rays, which monitor sunburns.
The concern now lies in the fact that these sunscreens aren’t protecting from the UVA rays, which are proven to cause skin cancer.
"You can buy a high SPF product and still have no assurance that you are being protected from UVA, as well as UVB rays," explains EWG research director Jane Houlihan.
EWA Analyzes for Safety
The EWA recently analyzed the safety of more than 900 brand-named sunscreens on the market.
The group found that seven percent of the sunscreens with SPF ratings of 30 or higher didn’t protect against UVA rays and 15 percent didn’t meet the criteria for effectiveness or safety.
The group says they are consistently keeping on the FDA to push for label changes to be implemented sooner than later.
(Source: CBS News)
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