FDA CRITICIZED: A new study reports that 85% of sunscreen products don't live up to their SPF promises or contain potentially dangerous chemicals. Out of the three top-selling sunscreen brands—Banana Boat, Coppertone and Neutrogena—only 1 of their 144 products provides adequate protection. But health experts say the benefits outweigh risk and still recommend sunscreen when outside.

Tuesday's report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzed nearly 1,000 sunscreen products using criteria above and beyond Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. The group criticized the FDA for what EWG considers incomplete product safety standards. The FDA acknowledged that its standards could be more complete, but cautioned the public to continue using sunscreen to protect from harmful solar rays.

EWG Tests Sunscreen Safety, Effectiveness

The EWG took a conservative approach to its study, and used criteria that exceeded FDA product safety standards. EWG evaluated sunscreens for the following:

• ultraviolet B (UVB) protection—based on SPF ratings
• ultraviolet A (UVA) protection—based on industry models for absorption measurement
• product stability—based on studies about how chemicals break down in the sun and lose effectiveness

In addition, the report penalized products containing ingredients that cause problems for some people, such as...

• fragrances—cause allergic reactions in sensitive people
• certain chemicals—penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream
• sprays or powders—enter respiratory system when accidentally inhaled

The report's greatest criticism? Many high-SPF products do not protect enough against UVA rays.

UVA rays cause...

• tanning
• skin damage by breaking down collagen
• wrinkles by destroying vitamin A
• skin cancer

UVB rays cause...

• sunburn
• skin damage by damaging DNA molecules
• skin cancer

While most sunscreens tested protected against UVB, few protected against UVA rays. The FDA does not currently require products protect against UVA rays.

No Mandatory FDA Safety Standards in Place for Sunscreens, EU Uses Safer Chemicals

EWG's report strongly criticized the FDA in two areas:

• failure to finalize mandatory standards that have been in draft form for years
• slowness to approve additional sun protection chemicals currently used in European Union

The FDA drafted its sunscreen safety standards more than 30 years ago, but failed to finalize—and therefore enforce—them.

Without mandatory requirements for safety or labeling currently in place, manufacturers follow FDA requirements on a voluntary basis only.

In its report, the EWG said, "This study confirms the need for mandatory standards-the voluntary system currently in place leaves the public with many sunscreen products that are not as safe and effective as the public needs or expects." (Environmental Working Group, 7/1/08)

The FDA issued its most recent safety guidelines draft last August. The EWG criticized the FDA for being slow to adopt new sunscreen chemicals currently approved in the European Union, Japan and other countries.

"FDA sorely needs to streamline and modernize its sunscreen review process to give consumers access to the best products possible." (Environmental Working Group, 7/1/08)

Use Sunscreen Anyway, Medical Experts Caution

Though the EWG's report may cast some doubt on the effectiveness of sunscreen products, health experts warn that they're still our best defense.

"We're concerned this will raise unnecessary confusion and cause people to stop using sunscreen," said the Skin Cancer Foundation during a CNN interview. "Consumers should rest assured that sunscreen products are safe and effective when used as directed." (CNN, 7/1/08)

The American Cancer Society's Dr. Len Lichtenfeld told ABC News, "One of the things that's so important to remember is that sunscreens have been shown to be effective in preventing skin cancer. Not wearing sunscreen is not the appropriate takeaway message from this report." (ABC News, 7/1/08)

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Question for Readers:

What kind of sunscreen do you use? Does it seem to work?