Latest news with #EHMC
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Your sunscreen is threatening to make pollution even worse
Slathering on sunscreen on hot days could be having an invisible and, until now, unknown side-effect that is making plastic pollution even worse. Experts have warned that a chemical found in the product could be "clinging" to plastic in the oceans, preventing it from breaking down more quickly. As a result sunscreen could be worsening the issue of plastic pollution, which harms the environment, poses threats to wildlife, and can negatively impact human health. The latest discovery relates to a chemical called ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC) and is the first study to investigate such 'co-pollution', where plastics in the sea act as carriers for other chemical contaminants, including ultraviolet (UV) filters from sunscreen. Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, also known as octinoxate, is an oily UV-absorber used in sunscreen as well as moisturisers, lip balms and make-up containing sun protection. It protects against UVB rays (which cause sunburn) but has limited protection against UVA (which penetrates more deeply into the skin and is responsible for ageing), so it's commonly used in combination with other chemicals. Sunscreens, like oil, are hydrophobic – meaning that they do not dissolve in water. This makes them a combined threat as, while it has long been known that they can accumulate on plastics and other surfaces and remain in the environment, now researchers at Stirling University have shown that EHMC could be hindering the development of useful aerobic bacteria that help break down plastic pollutants at an early stage. The problem with the chemical is that its sun-blocking abilities continue long after it has been slapped on skin at the beach. To put it simply, the same chemistry that blocks UV rays from human skin then 'protects' the plastic. The chemical blocks the 'right' sort of bacteria that help plastic to break down more quickly in the oceans, and instead promotes harmful bacteria that then clings to the plastic – preventing it from disintegrating. Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget, the lead researcher at Stirling University, said: 'The UV-protective properties of EHMC, combined with its suppression of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, may indirectly protect plastics from photodegradation and biodegradation, further contributing to their persistence in marine environments. 'This impact, combined with the enrichment of potentially pathogenic bacteria, raises significant concerns for ecosystem stability and human health, particularly in coastal regions with high rates of tourism, and high levels of plastic pollution.' But the problem does not end with making plastic last longer. Plastic waste in the ocean provides a new surface where microbes can grow, forming slimy layers called the plastisphere. Plastics also absorb other pollutants, including sunscreens washed off human skin that are insoluble in water, and these can then attach to marine plastic surfaces. Scientists have previously studied the role of the plastisphere, but little is known about how additional chemicals such as EHMC affect the microbes living on the plastic. The new study shows that when plastics are co-contaminated with EHMC, not only do pollutant-degrading bacteria like Marinomonas decline, but bacteria like Pseudomonas develop more proteins that improve their ability to survive. Some Pseudomonas strains are also classified as opportunistic pathogens, capable of causing serious infections that can require antibiotic treatment – raising potential public health concerns that the researchers hope will be further investigated. Dr Matallana-Surget said: 'These changes matter. By suppressing the aerobic bacteria that help degrade plastic, and selecting those that stabilise or reinforce the biofilm, UV filters would prolong the life of plastics in the ocean – making them more resistant to breakdown by sunlight or microbes. 'Targeted research and policy interventions are therefore urgently needed to mitigate these compounded ecological threats.' More than 100,00 marine mammals and a million sea birds are killed each year by plastic pollution, according to the UK Government. The first decade of this century saw more plastic produced than all the previous plastic put together, with just 9% of that having been recycled, according to Surfers Against Sewage. Studies estimate that there are now up to 51 trillion pieces of plastic in the oceans, which kill animals and birds either by tangling them in plastic or after the animals ingest plastic. There are thought to be at least 700 species directly affected by marine debris in the ocean. By prolonging the life of plastic in the ocean, sunscreen could be directly contributing to this problem.
The Herald Scotland
06-07-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
New threat to marine life discovered: sunscreen meeting plastic
Scientists at the University of Stirling led by Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget carried out the analysis, which is the first to study co-pollution – where plastics in the sea act as carriers for other chemical contaminants, including ultraviolet (UV) filters from sunscreen. Now, Dr Matallana-Surget, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, is appealing to policymakers to take urgent action to tackle what she calls the invisible threat of sunscreen. She said: 'These changes matter. By suppressing the aerobic bacteria that help degrade plastic, and selecting those that stabilise or reinforce the biofilm, UV filters would prolong the life of plastics in the ocean – making them more resistant to breakdown by sunlight or microbes. 'Targeted research and policy interventions are therefore urgently needed to mitigate these compounded ecological threats.' Read More: Plastic waste in the ocean provides a new surface where microbes can grow, forming slimy layers called the plastisphere. As well as forming the plastisphere, plastics also absorb other pollutants, including sunscreens washed off human skin that are insoluble in water, and these can then attach to marine plastic surfaces. Sunscreens, like oil, are hydrophobic – meaning that they do not dissolve in water. This makes them a combined threat, as they can accumulate on plastics and remain in the environment. Scientists have previously studied the role of the plastisphere, but little is known about how additional chemicals such as EHMC affect the microbes living on the plastic. The new study, published today, shows that when plastics are co-contaminated with EHMC, not only do pollutant-degrading bacteria like Marinomonas decline, but bacteria like Pseudomonas develop more proteins that stabilise biofilms and improve their ability to survive. Pseudomonas includes species known for being resilient in polluted environments and for their ability to break down a wide range of contaminants including pesticides, heavy metals and hydrocarbons. However, some Pseudomonas strains are also classified as opportunistic pathogens, capable of causing serious infections that can require antibiotic treatment – raising potential public health concerns that researchers hope will be further investigated. One key finding of the study is the much higher level of a protein called outer membrane porin F (OprF) in Pseudomonas that was exposed to EHMC. This protein plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure of biofilms, protective layers that help bacteria survive hostile environments. Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget (Image: University of Stirling)Researchers also observed a shift toward anaerobic respiration – where cells can generate energy in the absence of oxygen – revealing a complete shift in the microbial metabolism within the plastisphere. The research shows that EHMC could hinder the development of useful aerobic bacteria that help break down plastic pollutants at an early stage, by favouring more stress-tolerant anaerobic biofilm-forming bacteria. Dr Matallana-Surget added: 'The UV-protective properties of EHMC, combined with its suppression of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, may indirectly protect plastics from photodegradation and biodegradation, further contributing to their persistence in marine environments. 'This impact, combined with the enrichment of potentially pathogenic bacteria, raises significant concerns for ecosystem stability and human health, particularly in coastal regions with high rates of tourism, and high levels of plastic pollution.' The paper, The Invisible Threats of Sunscreen as a Plastic Co-Pollutant: Impact of a Common Organic UV Filter on Biofilm Formation and Metabolic Function in the Nascent Marine Plastisphere, is published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. Dr Matallana-Surget led the research in collaboration with Dr Charlotte Lee – who undertook the core experimental work – and Dr Lauren Messer at the University of Stirling, alongside Professor Ruddy Wattiez at the University of Mons in Belgium. The project, which stemmed from Dr Matallana-Surget's initial concept of investigating the emerging double pollution issue, has built on 15 years of joint work between the teams in Stirling and Mons. Research was funded by the UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the National Research Foundation Singapore. It was further supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the Walloon Region, Belgium. It builds on previous research published last year by Dr Matallana-Surget which uncovered the crucial roles of bacteria living on plastic debris. Dr Matallana-Surget has also published a study assessing the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on microscopic seawater bacteria that perform a significant role in ecosystem functioning.
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
Scientists discover new threat to marine ecosystems: sunscreen
Scientists at the University of Stirling led by Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget carried out the analysis, which is the first to study co-pollution – where plastics in the sea act as carriers for other chemical contaminants, including ultraviolet (UV) filters from sunscreen. Now, Dr Matallana-Surget, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, is appealing to policymakers to take urgent action to tackle what she calls the invisible threat of sunscreen. She said: 'These changes matter. By suppressing the aerobic bacteria that help degrade plastic, and selecting those that stabilise or reinforce the biofilm, UV filters would prolong the life of plastics in the ocean – making them more resistant to breakdown by sunlight or microbes. 'Targeted research and policy interventions are therefore urgently needed to mitigate these compounded ecological threats.' Read More: Plastic waste in the ocean provides a new surface where microbes can grow, forming slimy layers called the plastisphere. As well as forming the plastisphere, plastics also absorb other pollutants, including sunscreens washed off human skin that are insoluble in water, and these can then attach to marine plastic surfaces. Sunscreens, like oil, are hydrophobic – meaning that they do not dissolve in water. This makes them a combined threat, as they can accumulate on plastics and remain in the environment. Scientists have previously studied the role of the plastisphere, but little is known about how additional chemicals such as EHMC affect the microbes living on the plastic. The new study published today (Friday) shows that when plastics are co-contaminated with EHMC, not only do pollutant-degrading bacteria like Marinomonas decline, but bacteria like Pseudomonas develop more proteins that stabilise biofilms and improve their ability to survive. Pseudomonas includes species known for being resilient in polluted environments and for their ability to break down a wide range of contaminants including pesticides, heavy metals and hydrocarbons. However, some Pseudomonas strains are also classified as opportunistic pathogens, capable of causing serious infections that can require antibiotic treatment – raising potential public health concerns that researchers hope will be further investigated. One key finding of the study is the much higher level of a protein called outer membrane porin F (OprF) in Pseudomonas that was exposed to EHMC. This protein plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure of biofilms, protective layers that help bacteria survive hostile environments. Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget (Image: University of Stirling)Researchers also observed a shift toward anaerobic respiration – where cells can generate energy in the absence of oxygen – revealing a complete shift in the microbial metabolism within the plastisphere. The research shows that EHMC could hinder the development of useful aerobic bacteria that help break down plastic pollutants at an early stage, by favouring more stress-tolerant anaerobic biofilm-forming bacteria. Dr Matallana-Surget added: 'The UV-protective properties of EHMC, combined with its suppression of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, may indirectly protect plastics from photodegradation and biodegradation, further contributing to their persistence in marine environments. 'This impact, combined with the enrichment of potentially pathogenic bacteria, raises significant concerns for ecosystem stability and human health, particularly in coastal regions with high rates of tourism, and high levels of plastic pollution.' The paper, The Invisible Threats of Sunscreen as a Plastic Co-Pollutant: Impact of a Common Organic UV Filter on Biofilm Formation and Metabolic Function in the Nascent Marine Plastisphere, is published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. Dr Matallana-Surget led the research in collaboration with Dr Charlotte Lee – who undertook the core experimental work – and Dr Lauren Messer at the University of Stirling, alongside Professor Ruddy Wattiez at the University of Mons in Belgium. The project, which stemmed from Dr Matallana-Surget's initial concept of investigating the emerging double pollution issue, has built on 15 years of joint work between the teams in Stirling and Mons. Research was funded by the UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the National Research Foundation Singapore. It was further supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the Walloon Region, Belgium. It builds on previous research published last year by Dr Matallana-Surget which uncovered the crucial roles of bacteria living on plastic debris. Dr Matallana-Surget has also published a study assessing the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on microscopic seawater bacteria that perform a significant role in ecosystem functioning.
