Risks Associated With Sunscreen Spray Products

By Paul da Costa on August 07, 2015

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is trying to discourage consumers from using spray-ons, noting the inhalation concerns associated with the aerosol application. Additionally, it is hard to get an adequate coating of sunscreen on the skin, thereby providing less protection from the sun.

Since 2011, the Food and Drug Administration has been researching the dangers of these sunscreens. It is trying to determine how toxic it is to breathe in the spray-on sunscreen, as well as the effectiveness of sun protection. In response to the FDA’s incomplete research, Consumer Reports is strongly suggesting that spray-on sunscreens not be used on or near children. However, if there is no other alternative available, Consumer Reports says just to spray the sunscreen on your hands and rub it onto the child’s skin.

In addition, some spray-ons contain titanium dioxide, which is “possibly carcinogenic to humans when inhaled which the EWG explores in their report on nanoparticles,” according to a 2006 report from the International Agency for Research on Carcinogens. “The lungs have difficulty clearing small particles, and the particles may pass from the lungs into the bloodstream. Insoluble nanoparticles that penetrate skin or lung tissue can cause extensive organ damage.” While cancer warnings are fairly common from many products these days, it is probably smart to just play it safe and use rub-on sunscreen, at least until the FDA concludes its research.

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