How US doctor helped fuel public fears over 'toxic' sunscreens as reality star Sam Faiers faces backlash for not putting cream on her three children
Posting to her 2.5million followers on Instagram, the former The Only Way Is Essex star, 34, shared photographs of her children Paul, nine, Rosie, seven, and Edward, two, as they holidayed in Majorca.
She wrote: 'My whole family don't actually wear sunscreen.
'Over the years, the kids have built up a really good tolerance to being in the sun.
'Of course, if it's really hot and the sun feels too harsh, I'll make sure we head into the shade… I'm really careful about sunscreen in general, because a lot of them are actually pretty harmful and full of toxic ingredients.'
Other celebrities have adopted the same approach: influencers Kelsey Parker and Lauryn Goodman have told their followers they ignore NHS advice to wear sun protection factor of at least 30.
Health experts are horrified at what they see as a dangerous conspiracy theory, fearing a fall in sunscreen use will lead to a rise in skin cancer.
According to market researchers Mintel, 72 per cent of UK adults used sun protection in the 12 months to September 2024, falling from 77 per cent in the same period in 2023. So, how did the worrying pseudo-science about sunscreen take hold?
The Mail on Sunday has traced its genesis back to a scientific paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and posted on Twitter in May 2019.
The paper, by 19 scientists, tested four sunscreens on the market and found the concentrations of some chemicals exceeded thresholds established by the US Food and Drug Administration.
It made clear further studies were needed to determine the clinical significance: 'These results do not indicate individuals should refrain from the use of sunscreen.'
But the next day, New York medic Dr Tro Kalayjian, a specialist in obesity, stepped into the debate.
He reposted the paper and told his 158,000 Twitter followers: 'Have said this many times now: Be careful what you smear on yourself and your children.'
Over the next six years, the 2019 paper – Effect of Sunscreen Application Under Maximal Use Conditions on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients – has become one of the most hotly debated scientific works on Twitter and social media site BlueSky.
Just last month, Dr Tro, as he refers to himself online, wrote on the website of his company Toward Health: 'Our skin and our gut are literally the physical ways our bodies interact with the world.
'They're how we absorb sunlight and nutrition… but also how toxins, heavy metals, parasites, plastics, and chemicals make their way into our bodies.'
He added: 'I often tell patients, 'If you wouldn't trust it inside your body, think twice before putting it on your skin or in your mouth'.'
While Dr Tro does not advise against all sunscreens, he says some – like other cosmetics – contain harmful substances. He says barriers such as clothing, hats and shade should be considered.
He founded Toward Health, which specialises in obesity treatment and diabetes management in New York in 2017 after losing 150lb on a low-carbohydrate diet.
Dr Tro told The MoS: 'I understand those who deeply value public health messaging may struggle with the idea previously recommended practices can become outdated or even unsafe.
'It can feel more comfortable to trust the guidance as-is and view any challenge to it as fearmongering or misinformation.
'But the truth is, these issues are complex. People benefit most when they think critically and independently. Public health messages are important and should be heard, but should also be open to question, especially when the science evolves faster than the guidelines.'
UK doctors dismissed the scares. Skin cancer prevention doctor Ross Perry said he is 'horrified' by influencers' comments, calling Ms Faiers 'naive and irresponsible'.
Dr Perry told The MoS: 'Children do not build up a tolerance to sun exposure – they are just storing up more sun damage for later on in life.
'It is a well-known fact if children get any degree of sunburn, it more than doubles their risk of getting skin cancer at a later date so that is completely false and misleading.
'Remember any tan or sunburn is creating damage to the skin so SPF should always be worn in the sun.'
HOW TO STAY SAFE IN THE SUN
To stay sun safe, experts recommend people:
Seek shade between 11am and 3pm, which is when the sun's rays are typically strongest
Wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen
Apply sunscreen 30 minutes, and again just before, UV exposure
Opt for water-resistant sunscreen if necessary and reapply after swimming, sweating or using a towel
Cover up with protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
Be extra careful with babies and young children. Infants under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight
Do not use sunbeds or sunlamps
Checks moles and skin for any changes
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
a minute ago
- BBC News
Farmer warns about safety amid complacency fears
A farmer who lost an arm in an agricultural accident more than 20 years ago says he fears some in the industry are still "complacent" when it comes to Bannister has spent much of the last two decades raising awareness about safety in the farming industry after losing his left arm in to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), despite making up just 1% of the working population, farming accounts for nearly 20% of all workplace deaths in the Bannister said "I used to be blasé about safety but not now. When I do safety talks it's all about the visual impact. They look at me without my arm and they listen." Warning: This story contains details some readers may find distressing. The 63-year-old from Doncaster, who works as an agricultural contractor, was harvesting potatoes on 6 August 1998 when the accident happened."The last thing I remember around 09:30 BST in the morning is standing between the harvester and the trailer talking to my trailer man and then all I remember is I was fighting the harvester."I have no recollection of how or why I got on the machine," he recalled."My left arm went through the rollers and pulled me in. My arm was nearly the shape of a W.""The lad got the machine stopped just as it was biting into my neck." A farming friend sat with Mr Bannister and kept him engaged in the field near Retford, Nottinghamshire, as fire and ambulance crews attempted to free him."I was about five feet off the ground. "When they released the pressure on my shoulder, the blood coming from my shoulder was like pouring a jug of water. I can't get that sound out of my mind," he explained."I knew by the time I was off the stretcher and inside the helicopter that I'd lost my arm."The farmer was rushed via air ambulance to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield and his arm was amputated in a five-hour operation. "I have a shoulder, just," he the amputation Mr Bannister was determined to continue working."I've never doubted whether I could do the work. "I still struggle occasionally but I'm fortunate that if I can't do things I can get people to do those jobs," he the life-changing injury, Mr Bannister said he only required a few amendments."In a tractor everything is on the right side of me, all the buttons and screens so I can access them all," he one tweak he has made is adding a knob to his tractor steering wheel for a better grip for his right his own determination, he was doubted by some, he outlined."A farm manager said he wouldn't employ me because I only had one arm. Even though the machine I'd be driving, I'd already been using for two years."Mr Bannister has continued to work across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire and is currently contracted to work with 35 different farms. His passion now though is farm safety, regularly delivering talks on the subject within the farming community especially after a stint as chairman of National Association Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) from 2022-2024."I'm happy to talk about my accident because if by listening to me it means that changes people's attitudes, it's worth it."The safety records on farming is abysmal. Complacency is the biggest issue," he stats from the HSE released this year show:Twenty-eight people lost their lives on UK farms in 2024/25During the past 13 years, there has been an average of 31 fatalities – 27 farm workers and four members of the public, including childrenMore than £48m was paid out in accident claims last year alone, said insurer NFU MutualAfter a long career in farming, Mr Bannister said he planned to retire in five years time, aged than taking it easy, he said he intended to spend more time on his "hobbies away from the farm" which include riding trail bikes and he had a word of warning before he stopped work."People do these jobs day in day out and they stop thinking about them."I take responsibility for my accident. I should have turned the machine off.""The biggest thing needed is an attitude change," he said. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
c14e81r8e85o (GIF Image, 1 × 1 pixels)
Malia Carty BBC News, Nottingham Keith Williams Keith Williams worked for 21 years before losing his last job in 2022 "If it wasn't for food banks, I'd struggle to get any sort of food. I'd starve." Keith Williams says living on a monthly universal credit (UC) benefit payment of £368 is "a constant battle" and the money "just isn't enough" and usually lasts about a week. "Running out of food feels awful, you feel like you're letting people down," adds Keith, from Radford in Nottingham. A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) outlined measures taken to support households on UC, including extending the Household Support Fund and child poverty taskforce. UC is a single benefit payment for working-age people. It was introduced to replace a range of different benefits for unemployed and low-paid people. There were 7.9 million people on UC in June in England, Scotland and Wales, according to official government statistics, the highest level since its introduction in 2013. 'I paid my taxes' For Keith, he gets help at the non-profit charity SFiCE's social cafe and food bank in Nottingham, which provides free meals to homeless and vulnerable people in the city. The 42-year-old worked for 21 years before losing his last job in 2022 and has since struggled to find employment. "After paying into the system for so long, Universal Credit feels like a slap in the face," he added. "People will say you should be happy because you're getting money for nothing but I'm not, I paid taxes for 20 years, I deserve more." John Lamb/Getty A study by the University of Nottingham found 70% of people on UC were skipping meals or going entire days without eating and losing weight A UK-wide study by the University of Nottingham found that 70% of people on UC were skipping meals or going entire days without eating and losing weight. Simon Welham, associate professor in human nutrition at the university, told the BBC that he originally began the study to understand what kinds of foods people on UC were eating and how much. He realised the participants receiving benefits struggled to access proper nutrition, including consuming vitamins like vitamin A, iron, zinc, magnesium and selenium. Of the participants in receipt of UC, 20% did not eat vegetables, he said. "They couldn't come close to achieving a normal standard of living," said Mr Welham. "We saw the kind of nutrient deficiencies that you see in developing countries and it seems this was driven solely by people's financial capabilities," he added. Mr Welham said people on low incomes were often perceived to consume unhealthy foods at a higher rate but he "didn't see that so much". However, he noticed those participants had an "over reliance" on staple foods like bread as they are "cheap and filling". "From the kind of things we're seeing in our study and studies from across the country, I can't see how anyone would willingly choose to be on Universal Credit," Mr Welham said, addressing the stigma of benefit recipients. SFiCE "Without food banks, I'd probably go two to three days a week without eating," says Ashley Hetfield Ashley Hetfield, from Hyson Green, who also attends SFiCE's weekly meal service, said relying on benefits had a detrimental effect on his mental health. He said he had tried to stay positive and optimistic, but "living on a fifth of what [he] used to get when [he was] working" affected him. "You can't expect people to be able to live properly on £400 a month, if they're paying energy bills, food and rent," said Mr Hetfield. The 34-year-old said that he usually ate at the social cafe, but in the past, he had gone without food "to protect [his] pride". "When you're on Universal Credit, you have to become accustomed to living with nothing," he added. The Open Kitchen has multiple locations, in Nottingham, Manchester and Hounslow The Open Kitchen, another social cafe in Nottingham, said about a quarter of the people it saw each day received UC. Cordinator Imran Khan said before the cost of living crisis, he used to only serve about 20 to 30 people a day. Since April 2022, that number had increased to 120 to 130 people each day, he said. "It's not fair for anyone to go through something like this," he added. The standard UC allowance will be increasing by £7 a week in April 2026. However, Mr Khan believes it is not enough to prevent the current level of food insecurity among people on UC. "It's not going to get anyone very far, is it? "It's nothing, half-way through the month people tell me, they've run out of food, gas and electric," he added. A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said: "No-one should be living in poverty. That's why we've extended the Household Support Fund and child poverty taskforce to support families and children. "Alongside this, we've increased the National Living Wage and are helping over one million households by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions." Related internet links
The Guardian
31 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Ham sold in UK found to contain carcinogens 10 years after WHO warning
Ham and bacon sold by supermarkets including Tesco, and Marks and Spencer still contain cancer-causing chemicals almost 10 years after the World Health Organization warned about the dangers of their use in processed meats. Wiltshire ham is the product with the highest concentrations of nitrites, according to analysis that compared it to cooked ham and unsmoked bacon. All of the 21 products tested in a laboratory were found to contain nitrites, which are used to preserve meat, despite the WHO in October 2015 declaring them to be unsafe. Tesco's Wiltshire ham contained the most nitrites – almost 33 milligrams per kilogram. That was 11 times the 2.88mg/kg in its cooked ham and almost four times the 8.64mg/kg in its unsmoked bacon. And it was also almost 18 times the 1.84mg/kg found in Morrisons's bacon. Other Wiltshire ham products, including those sold by M&S (28.6 mg/kg), Sainsbury's (21.1mg/kg) and Morrisons (19.2mg/kg) also contained relatively high levels, although Asda's version only had 8mg/kg. Food campaigners, who want nitrites banned, said the findings were 'alarming'. Cancer charities said the widespread use of nitrites showed that people should eat as little processed meat as possible, such as ham, bacon and sausages, because consumption increases the risk of bowel cancer. Cancer Research UK estimates that 13% of the 44,100 cases of the disease diagnosed each year in Britain are linked to processed meat. The analysis was commissioned by the Coalition Against Nitrites and undertaken by Food Science Fusion, an independent company, and the laboratory experts Rejuvetech. However, it found the levels of nitrites in all 21 products were well below the 150mg/kg legal limit. A spokesperson for the Coalition Against Nitrites, which includes food safety experts, medical specialists and politicians from most of the UK's major parties, said: 'It's nearly a full decade since the WHO classified nitrite-cured processed meats as a group one carcinogen and it is disappointing and alarming that we continue to see products on sale containing high levels of nitrites.' They added: 'Consumers are increasingly aware of the dangers of nitrites in processed meats, yet they continue to be exposed to their risks.' Wiltshire ham contains such high levels of nitrites because during the production process the pork is injected with nitrates, as also happens with cooked ham. However, Wiltshire ham is then soaked in a bath of brine and nitrites, to give it its red colour and protect it from deadly bacteria. At that point a chemical reaction occurs, which turns nitrates into nitrites. Prof Chris Elliott, the food safety expert who led the government-ordered investigation into the 2013 horsemeat scandal, said the research confirmed that nitrites remained 'unnecessarily high in certain UK meat products'. He added: 'Given the mounting scientific evidence of their cancer risk, we must prioritise safer alternatives and take urgent action to remove these dangerous chemicals from our diets.' Several food firms, including Finnebrogue and Waitrose, have responded to mounting concern about nitrites by producing bacon that is free of them. Dr Rachel Orritt, Cancer Research UK's health information manager, said: 'Eating processed meat increases the risk of bowel cancer. Nitrites … can lead to cell damage, which is one of the ways that processed meat is linked to bowel cancer. The less processed meat you eat, the lower your risk of bowel cancer.' Dr Giota Mitrou, the director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, said it recommended 'eating as little, if any, processed meat as possible'. A Tesco spokesperson said: 'We follow all UK and EU requirements, alongside guidance from the UK Food Standards Agency, to ensure we get the right balance of improving the shelf life and safety of our products with limited use of additives. 'The nitrites levels in all of our products, including our traditionally cured Finest Wiltshire ham, fall significantly below the legal limits in the UK and EU. 'Nitrates and nitrites are an important part of the curing process for some meats and they are used to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that cause serious food poisoning.' Andrew Opie, the director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, which represents supermarkets, said: 'Food safety is paramount to our members and they implement strict policies with their suppliers to ensure all products comply with UK food legislation.'
