Harmonization of techniques employed for sunscreen safety and efficacy determination and evaluation of the impact of them on marine biodiversity

• Grant number: 10/09240-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: October 01, 2010
• End date: March 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Vânia Rodrigues Leite e Silva
• Grantee: Vânia Rodrigues Leite e Silva
• Host Investigator: Michael Stephen Roberts
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Queensland, Brisbane (UQ), Australia

Abstract

Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer of any country in the world, even though the risk of contracting the disease can be lowered considerably by engaging in appropriate sun-protective behaviors. Nowadays, the number of cases of skin cancer on Brazil has increased, representing a considerable public health problem. To avoid sun damage on people, products with high sun protection factor (SPF) are widely accepted in the market, however a major concern is the efficacy and safety of these products. Brazil does not have a "Guide" with standard methods in order to evaluate the SPF, Therefore, Brazil has employed to those developed by United States, Europe and Australia. Another aspect to consider is the concern with the environment, since some 5,000 tonnes of sunscreen are "left" by swimmers annually in oceans. Researchers conducted on the barrier reef of Australia showed that over 10% of reef species are threatened by bleaching induced by these products. Thus, the main purpose of this study is to acquire the Australian methodology for assessments of sunscreens are effective and safe for Brazilian customer with emphasis on the reduction of environmental damage. This subject is already being discussed internationally and there is still no consensus on the harmonization of terms used on labels such as "eco-friendly" or "marine friendly" or "reef-safe", especially in concerning the methodology of testing and labeling rules in Brazil. Tests will be done in order to evaluate sunscreen efficacy in vitro and in vivo compared with the Australian method used in Brazil and in vivo tests to acquire knowledge of the reasoning and methodology of technical equipment capable of measuring Moisturisation, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-comedogenic, Allergy, Irritancy, Skin Lightening, for proving the efficacy of sunscreen products under study. The project has the effective involvement and collaboration of the University of Queensland, Brisbane and the Australian Photobiology Testing Facility (APTF), Sydney, both in Australia. (AU)