NEWSBRIEF - Sunscreens implicated in cancer
Researchers at the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Zurich warn that many of the active components in sunscreens (benzophenone-3, octyl-methoxycinnamate, and octyl-dimethyl-PABA, etc.) behave like estrogen and make cancer cells grow faster. These chemicals have also been found to accumulate in fish inhabiting lakes where people swim. Margaret Schlumpf, the lead researcher, isn't advising people not to use sunscreens, but suggests that zinc oxide-based ones may be a healthier alternative.
New Scientist, April 21, 2001, p. 5