People who live in areas that receive bright sunlight all year have a greater intake of vitamin D but are also at higher risk for skin cancer. While sunburns can be prevented by using sunscreens, it can have long-term detrimental effects on our health as well as the environment.
Magdalena Janders’ team is working on a product that could have a significant impact on the cosmetics and sun protection industries.
Palau is one of few places you can call paradise on Earth. It is home to more than 300 volcanic and coral islands. Tourists have travelled thousands of miles to view the stunning scenery in the western Pacific Ocean. Scientists finally decided to look below waterline. Their shocking discovery revealed that sea life was at risk and that the culprits were humans. They were trying to protect themselves against harmful UV radiation using sunscreen.
2015 was the year Dr. Craig Downs, Executive director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory discovered that oxybenzone, a commonly used ingredient in sunscreens, was killing coral reefs. After this discovery, Palau became the first country in the world to ban popular sunscreens. Others countries and regions will likely follow this trend.
Although Poland and Palau are thousands of miles apart, they share one thing: Magdalena Jander. CEO of is Polish Biotechnologist (PhD), entrepreneur. UVeraA start-up, whose sunscreen is safe for the human body and environmentally friendly.
Sunscreens destroy marine life
Sunscreens have very harmful side-effects for human health. They also have a severe environmental impact, destroying coral reefs as well as marine life. We have the solution. It is a particular strain of cyanobacteria that is nearly 2 billion years old. It produces natural UV protection outside their cells. Magdalena JanderForbes Women Poland included Judith in their 100 Women of the Year List in 2021. She was also named Businesswoman of the Year in 2019, under the Leader of Innovative Technologies category.
She explains that the UV filters in many cosmetic products can also penetrate the bloodstream and disrupt hormones. They can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Even more alarming is their high volume of sale. According to Fact.MR market research groupWorldwide, over 1 billion sunscreens get sold each year. This number is expected to increase by a third in the next ten years. This is not only a threat to the marine ecosystem, but also to their health.
They might not protect us from skin cancer, but they could have a disruptive impact on our lives, she explained. UVera is also working to protect against all UV ranges.
