The Greens are calling on the NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner to pressure her Federal colleague Tanya Plibersek to regulate the use of nanoparticles in sunscreen, following the action taken today by Friends of the Earth, says Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Dr Kaye said: "Friends of the Earth have courageously dressed up as the beach safety icon David Hasselhoff to show the state and federal governments people are very worried about the health impacts of nanoparticles in their sunscreen.
"The Greens support the calls from Friends of the Earth for immediate regulation and labelling of nano-particles to allow consumers to protect themselves from the potentially adverse health effects of nanoparticles.
"Nanoparticles are similar in size and structure to asbestos particles.
"An Australian study found nanoparticles can easily be absorbed through the skin. Their effects from then on are potentially extremely harmful.
"The potential side effects from nano particles include damage to DNA and under the worse case scenario, cancer. Nanoparticles have no place in the sunscreens which are supposed to be protecting people.
"Companies are continuing to use nano particles in their products without having to state it on the label, let alone display a warning. This is unacceptable.
"A 2008 NSW Parliamentary Inquiry reported that nanoparticles posed a potential risk to consumers' health. It recommended all products containing nano-particles should labelled. Since then nothing has been done.
"NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner must honour the recommendation of the 2008 parliamentary inquiry and work with her federal colleague Tanya Plibersek to implement nanoparticle regulation and labelling," Dr Kaye said.
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455