I wrote the following short piece for the December edition of Penisula Living Magazine on a recent study looking at the safety of nanoparticle sunscreens:
Sunscreen nanoparticles and your health
You may have heard of the new generation of sunscreens on the market – the so-called ’invisible zinc’ sunscreens that contain nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Less than 1/2500 width of a human hair, zinc nanoparticles provide a physical barrier against the sun and they irritate the skin less than sunscreens that rely on chemicals to absorb UV rays. So you get the benefit of a broad spectrum block without the opaque ‘white-out’ effect on your skin.
But what are the health risks of applying zinc nanoparticles to your skin? A study conducted at North Curl Curl surf club by Professor Brian Gulson, a sunscreen expert from Macquarie University, found that very little zinc is absorbed through the skin. In fact, the amount absorbed was well below the level of zinc naturally occurring in the body and well below the recommended daily dietary intake of zinc. Gulson concluded that any health risks from these levels of zinc would be minimal.
Keep in mind that 98-99% of skin cancers are caused by sun over-exposure and the best protection is a combination approach: avoid the midday sun, seek shade, wear appropriate clothing and apply sunscreen.
