Most of us know about the dangers of sun exposure. Yet not many are aware of the dangers found in some sunscreens.
It is difficult to imagine that a product designed to protect you can cause harm. To learn if you have a legitimate claim worth pursuing, contact a Cleveland personal injury attorney to discuss your case.
Dangerous Chemicals Contained in Sunscreens
There are conflicting opinions on the benefits and risks of using sunscreen. While they can help protect you from UVA and UVB rays, some contain chemicals that could cause harm.
One of the chemicals that are found to be potentially dangerous is an anti-aging ingredient, retinyl palmitate. This chemical is linked to skin lesions and tumors when it reacts with sunlight.
The other chemical is oxybenzone. This chemical has been linked to problems with brain development, allergies, cell damage, and interruptions in the hormonal system because it is a synthetic form of estrogen.
Oxybenzone has also been found to cause low birth weight in babies whose mothers use sunscreen containing this ingredient. Low birth weight then can lead to other complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other diseases later in life.
Some of the more popular brand names of sunscreen that may contain oxybenzone include Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, and Coppertone. A number of other products with SPF also contain this chemical including lipstick, lip balm and facial moisturizers.
Sunscreens are one type of product that isn’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As a result, they can contain chemicals that are considered toxic. Allergies from sunscreen are most especially connected to these chemicals because of the fact that it penetrates the skin. An allergic reaction could be mild or severe.
Alternatives to Sunscreen
Clearly it is important to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. If there is concern about toxic chemicals in sunscreen, it can leave you wondering what are other alternatives. A few sunscreen-free options to try include:
• wearing a wide-brimmed hat;
• wearing sunglasses; and
• staying out of the sun’s direct light.
Spend as much time in the shade as you can. If you are concerned about sunscreens containing dangerous chemicals, then select one that doesn’t have retinyl palmitate or oxybenzone listed as active ingredients. There are other types of sunscreen that may be safer, such as those that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Contact a Cleveland Personal Injury Attorney
The basis of any personal injury claim is establishing that someone else was negligent. This can apply to any number of parties. In some cases there may be more than one person liable. An attorney can help in calculating the compensation you may be entitled to seek.
Consulting a Cleveland personal injury attorney is the best way to understand your legal rights. An attorney can explain the options that may be available.
Becker Law Firm specializes in birth injury cases. They are committed to seeking retribution for the pain and suffering that you have endured. Contact a personal injury lawyer today at 1-877-863-6219 for a free case evaluation.
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