KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — Officials in Key West took the initial steps toward banning the sale of sunscreens containing two ingredients that some consider harmful to coral reefs.
The Miami Herald reports the Key West City Commission approved the measure 7-0 on Tuesday night. Commissioners now must review the ordinance a second time and pass it again on Feb. 5 before it can become law. It would ban products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Nearly 100 people turned out for the discussion, with 50 signing up to speak about the proposal. They included dermatologists, boat captains and school children.
Commissioner Jimmy Weekley say people could still get a prescription from a doctor for sunscreens that contain the banned ingredients.
Last year, Hawaii banned the sale or distribution of sunscreens containing the ingredients beginning in 2021.
