In lab experiments, these chemical sunscreens caused bleaching of coral reefs even in small amounts, the study found. "Coral reefs are among the most biologically productive and diverse of ecosystems, and directly sustain half a billion people. But some 60 percent of these reef systems are threatened by a deadly combination of climate change, industrial pollution and excess UV radiation," according to the Discovery Channels website.

The study, published in U.S. journal Environmental Health Perspectives, reveals chemical sunscreens are on the list of damaging agents, estimating that up to 10 percent of the world's reefs are at risk of sunscreen-induced coral bleaching.  Even small doses provoked large discharges of coral mucous, a sign of environmental stress, within 18 to 48 hours. Furthermore, within 96 hours complete bleaching of corals had occurred.

The Discovery Channel's website also states, "Virus levels in seawater surrounding coral branches increased to 15 times the level found in control samples, suggesting that sunscreens might stimulate latent viral infections, the study found. Pesticides, hydrocarbons and other contaminants have also been found to induce algae or coral to release viruses, hastening the bleaching process."

According to the World Trade Organization,An estimated 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen are released annually in reef areas, with 25 percent of the sunscreen ingredients on skin released into water over the course of a 20-minute submersion. Chemical sunscreens are made of approximately 20 compounds acting as UV filters and preservatives. Seven were tested for the study, including parabens, cinnamates, benzophenones, oxybenzone and camphor derivatives.  Oxybenzone has recently been studied by the CDC and shown to contaminate 97% of Americans.