The aim of this investigation was to study environmental effects of 4 sunscreens.
Solutions containing the different sunscreens were prepared in which Allium cepa and Lepidium sativum were grown 5 days. Allium cepa grew in concentrations of 2cm3/dm3 sunscreen per dm3 water, Lepidium sativum was grown in a dilution series of 2cm3/dm3, 0.2cm3/dm3, 0.02cm3 /dm3 and 0.002cm3/dm3 sunscreen per dm3 water. The mass of 5 Allium cepa roots for each Allium cepa was recorded to find the mass percentage decrease compared to the control to notify inhibitory effects. Plant lengths from root to tip of Lepidium sativum were recorded to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations.
Compared to the control, Nivea Sun, containing Paraffinum Liquidum and Titanium Dioxide had the greatest inhibitory effects on root mass (83.2%). Apoteket Hjärtats Sollotion and L’Oreal Solar Expertise containing Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane and Octorcrylene had inhibitory effects of 75.5% and Vichy Capital Soleil containing Titanium Dioxide had the least inhibitory effect (57.1%). MIC occurred at lowest concentrations for Nivea Sun and L’Oreal Solar Expertise (0.02cm3/dm3 to 0.002cm3/dm3 sunscreen per dm3 water). MIC for Apoteket Hjärtats Sollotion and Vichy Capital Soleil occurred later (0.02cm3/dm3 and 0.2cm3/dm3 sunscreen per liter water) suggesting Paraffinum Liquidum was most inhibitory followed by Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane and Octorcrylene. Titanium Dioxide had the least inhibitory effects.