Corals in Overseas Territories: the impact of chemical substances confirmed | Handles

2023-08-23 12:06:24

The number of substances potentially toxic to corals is very likely underrated. Indeed, given the lack of available data, work might only be carried out on a limited number of substances among all those potentially present in coral reefs.

Reduce releases of chemical substances into the marine environment

The Agency recommends creating or strengthening surveillance and monitoring of chemical substances impacting coral reefs. Taking into account the different distribution areas of corals, it recommends integrating this monitoring into the marine environment protection conventions applicable to the marine areas concerned (Cartagena convention, etc.).

« As we progressed in the recovery of exposure data, we noted significant differences in the level of information available for each overseas territory studied (namely all overseas territories except the Guyana and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon). Most of the information came from monitoring systems generated by the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. However, these monitoring systems do not exist for certain territories such as Wallis and Futuna or even Saint-Barthélemy, which currently prevents the risk assessment of the incriminated substances from being carried out. » specifies Karen Burga.

Furthermore, to best preserve corals already threatened by the effects of climate change, ANSES is calling for limit releases of dangerous substances at source by management measures: application of restrictions on the use or ban on the marketing of chemical products within the framework of regulations such as REACH.

Finally, it recommends improving the implementation and operation of sanitation networks Wastewater.

Sun creams: claims that must be justified

For the family of UV filters, the expertise has notably identified three substances as toxic to corals: l’oxybenzone, l’octinoxate et l’octocrylène. A certain number of solar products display statements or pictograms highlighting their respect for the marine environment. These markings must be supported by studies carried out under the responsibility of the manufacturers who sell them. The presence of one of the substances mentioned above seems incompatible with the possibility of benefiting from such claims.

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