A Survey of Beachgoers to Estimate Sunscreen Coastal Water Input and Potential Eco-Label Consumption: Contributions to Sustainable Tourism

Cristina Pallero-Flores, José L. Oviedo, Antonio Tovar-Sánchez, Carlos Moreno and Araceli Rodríguez-Romero ()
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Cristina Pallero-Flores: Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Marine Science of Andalusia (ICMAN), C. Republica Saharaui, 4, 11519 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
José L. Oviedo: Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Marine Science of Andalusia (ICMAN), C. Republica Saharaui, 4, 11519 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
Antonio Tovar-Sánchez: Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Marine Science of Andalusia (ICMAN), C. Republica Saharaui, 4, 11519 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
Carlos Moreno: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Marine Research Institute (INMAR), Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Campus of Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
Araceli Rodríguez-Romero: Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Marine Science of Andalusia (ICMAN), C. Republica Saharaui, 4, 11519 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-16

Abstract: The rise of sun and beach tourism has led to concerns about the environmental impact of sunscreens on marine ecosystems. Although the contaminants included in sunscreens are being studied from various perspectives, there are still gaps in the understanding of beachgoers’ habits and sunscreen use, and their awareness of the problems these products can cause. But do we even know how much sunscreen ends up in the ocean when beachgoers apply it? To estimate the amount of sunscreen entering coastal waters during a summer season, a survey ( n = 429) was conducted at two urban beaches in southern Spain (La Caleta and La Bajadilla). It was estimated that 76.3 to 109.3 mL of sunscreen per beachgoer enters the water during the season. For this estimation, it was crucial that we the analyze beachgoers’ behavior statistically. Additionally, our study calculated their willingness to pay (WTP) for eco-labeled sunscreen alternatives. The results showed significant differences between the two sites, with La Bajadilla reporting higher sunscreen usage (11.9 mL vs. 7.9 mL per application) and a greater WTP for eco-labeled sunscreen (€14.2 vs. €11.5). These findings highlight the need for more field studies to better understand the input of sunscreen into coastal waters, which is closely linked to beach use and its social factors. This approach, which considers specific sunscreen input and characterizes beachgoers’ habits, behaviors, and preferences for alternatives, provides valuable insights for decision-makers and may guide future research on the potential impact of sunscreens on marine ecosystems using behavioral data as well as alternative approaches to solving the problem.

Keywords: beachgoers; behavioral; environment; contingent valuation; field survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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