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ITV News
14 hours ago
- Health
- ITV News
How can you make sure your sunscreen is 'reef safe'?
Sunscreen is the must have summer holiday item, but while it may protect your skin, there's growing research it could be harming the ocean and marine life. Each year, about 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen ends up in the sea this way, threatening the health of marine life and coral reefs. It's led to many people buying 'reef safe' sunscreen but there is currently no regulation of these products. Now, a group of researchers from the University of Derby want to change that with proper accreditation of reef safe sunscreen that could be regulated globally. So which sunscreen should you use to protect your skin and the ocean? How does sunscreen harm coral reefs? When we swim or shower, sunscreen can wash off our skin and enter waterways. Each year, about 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen ends up in the sea this way, threatening the health of marine life and coral reefs. As the sunscreen breaks down, the coral absorbs these chemicals and it can harm its reproduction and growth and contribute to bleaching. "It just directly kills it as well," Professor Michael Sweet from the University of Derby told ITV News. "Sometimes in the tests we've undertaken, we put the sunscreen in the water and within a few hours you can see tissue completely sloughing off the coral skeleton." What is the 'toxic' sunscreen? Oxybenzone and octinoxate are chemical compounds found in many common sunscreens and are known to have a more significant impact on coral health. Sunscreen containing these ingredients is often dubbed 'toxic'. While oxybenzone is approved globally as a sunscreen ingredient, it has been banned in seven places including Hawaii, the US Virgin Islands and parts of Thailand in a bid to reduce the impact on reefs. What sunscreen should I buy? Several sunscreen companies market their products as 'reef safe' or 'reef friendly', but there is no regulation of these claims so you'll have to check the ingredient list on the packaging. It's best to look for mineral active ingredients, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and to avoid any products containing oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene. Lotions are also better for the environment than spray or mist products, as the aerosol particles often end up on the sand and washed out to sea . The other option is to wear your SPF protection instead. Swim shirts and rash vests protect your skin from UV and can last longer than a bottle of sunscreen. How would 'reef safe' regulation work? Professor Sweet said 80 per cent of sunscreen marked as 'reef safe' had never been tested. He said it was very difficult to actually determine whether a product is 'reef safe' from ingredients alone and the industry needed "a shake up". Researchers at the University of Derby want to create a Reef Protection Factor (RPF) certification to help people buy products - including sunscreen, cosmetics and surf wax - that have been proven to be safe for use in the ocean. Under the proposal, products would have to have undergone rigorous testing with adult corals at an accredited independent testing centre to receive RPF creditation. If there was any evidence of tissue loss in any of the coral tested, the product would not pass and could not be branded 'reef-safe'. The university has developed a facility that can test a sunscreen's impact on coral and have used that to create their own reef-safe sunscreen. Professor Sweet said there should be a visible reef safe trademark on items so consumers could easily identify safe products on the shelf. "Bronze standard is as good as nothing in the water, silver means you're having a positive impact to some degree but gold is your gold standard where you're having a clear positive impact," he said. "In the concept of things like climate change, many people would say it's a relatively small drop in the ocean. "But it's something that in theory that we can change overnight."


Time of India
15 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
RPF SI PET, PMT and document verification to begin from June 22, check details here
RRB announces PET, PMT and DV schedule for RPF/RPSF SI recruitment 2025 RPF SI PET, PMT and DV schedule 2025: The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have officially released the tentative schedule for the next phase of recruitment for the post of Sub-Inspector (Executive) in the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF), as per Centralized Employment Notification (CEN) RPF 01/2024. Following the results of the Computer-Based Test (CBT), the list of shortlisted candidates has been published on the official RRB website. These candidates will now proceed to the Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Physical Measurement Test (PMT), and Document Verification (DV). Tentative Schedule and Venue • Dates: June 22, 2025 to July 2, 2025 • Reporting Time: 4:00 AM • Venue: Jagjivan Ram RPF Academy, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Candidates are advised that the exact date of their individual tests will be announced soon on the RRB's official portal. Each shortlisted candidate will also receive notifications via SMS and email. e-Call Letter and Instructions The e-Call Letter, which is mandatory for participation in the PET/PMT/DV, will be made available for download on the RRB website two weeks before the candidate's scheduled test date. It is essential that all candidates read and strictly follow the instructions provided in the e-Call Letter. Document Verification (DV) will be conducted on the same day as PET/PMT for those who qualify in the physical tests. Candidates must carry all relevant original documents along with two sets of self-attested photocopies for submission during the DV process. Important Advisory RRB has issued a stern warning against falling prey to touts or unofficial sources. Selections are strictly based on merit obtained in the Computer-Based Test and subsequent qualifying stages. Candidates are urged not to be misled by social media posts or unauthorized information, and to rely solely on updates from the official RRB website. For further details, candidates should refer to the full notification under CEN No. RPF 01/2024 (SI), which remains accessible online. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!


Scroll.in
17 hours ago
- Business
- Scroll.in
RRB RPF SI DV schedule 2024 out at rrbcdg.gov.in; check details here
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released the Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Physical Measurement Test (PMT), and Document Verification (DV) schedule for the post of Sub-Inspector (Executive) in RPF/RPSF (CEN RPF 01/2024). Applicants can download e-call letters two weeks before the commencement of the DV from the official website The PET/PMT/DV will be conducted from June 22 to July 2 at Jagjivan Ram RPF Academy, Lucknow, UP. The reporting time is 4.00 pm. The recruitment drive aims to fill 452 posts of RPF Sub Inspector. 'Document Verification (DV) will be conducted on the same day of the PET/PMT for the candidates who will qualify in PET/PMT. All candidates must bring their all relevant original documents along with two sets of self-attested photocopies for submission,' reads the notification.


News18
a day ago
- News18
Dressed To Deceive: 'Mystery Woman' Covered In Gold Busted For Theft Spree At Bihar Station
Last Updated: A woman in flashy attire at Gaya station turned out to be a serial thief. GRP recovered Rs 2.5 lakh in jewellery after her arrest, solving multiple theft cases For weeks, a woman dressed in expensive clothes and glittering jewellery had been drawing curious glances at Gaya railway station in Bihar. Her frequent appearances on multiple platforms, often seen chatting with passengers arriving or departing on trains, eventually caught the attention of the Government Railway Police (GRP). What seemed like harmless eccentricity soon raised red flags, prompting the GRP to place her under discreet CCTV surveillance. The woman was finally intercepted by GRP officials, who approached her with a straightforward question: 'Who are you?" She identified herself as Anita, a resident of Dehri-on-Sone. But what unfolded next stunned the police. A search of her belongings revealed a cache of gold and silver jewellery valued at over Rs 2.5 lakh. Further investigation confirmed that Anita was involved in a string of thefts across the railway network. Her arrest was carried out in a coordinated operation by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and GRP at Gaya station. During interrogation, Anita confessed to stealing purses and valuables from unsuspecting passengers while travelling on trains. She admitted to maintaining a well-dressed, respectable appearance to avoid arousing suspicion. Authorities revealed that Anita had been active for quite some time, and her arrest could help crack several pending theft cases. Passengers are being advised to remain alert, protect their belongings, and report any suspicious behaviour immediately. The seized jewellery is currently estimated to be worth over Rs 2.5 lakh, with officials suggesting the total value could increase as the probe continues. A formal case has been registered, and Anita remains in police custody as investigations proceed. The GRP and RPF have reiterated their commitment to maintaining security and vigilance at Gaya Junction. First Published: June 03, 2025, 10:17 IST


Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Cops review Rath Yatra security
Bhubaneswar: Odisha police on Monday reviewed security arrangements for Rath Yatra in Puri at a high-level meeting chaired by director general of police Y B Khurania at the state police headquarters in Cuttack. "We are implementing a multi-layered security framework to ensure safety of devotees and smooth conduct of all ceremonies," said Khurania. The security blueprint includes extensive CCTV surveillance, specialised traffic management systems, and dedicated coastal patrolling units. Key measures include establishment of temporary police outposts, deployment of K-9 squads, and enhanced security at railway stations in Puri, Bhubaneswar, Khurda, and Jatni. RPF will coordinate with local police to maintain security at transit points. Special attention will be paid to crowd management, with dedicated arrangements for VIP movement and separate facilities for devotee darshan. Police will conduct regular checks at hotels and lodges while launching anti-criminal drives across all police stations. "We are also preparing for contingencies with emergency response protocols and coordination mechanisms with the district administration," added Khurania, urging the devotees to cooperate with security personnel and follow prescribed guidelines during the festival. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Authorities have also arranged independent helipads for VIP movement and separate accommodation facilities for police forces. Traffic management will include designated zones, road dividers, and ample parking facilities to prevent congestion during the festival period.