Lawmakers in Hawaii are set to ban the sale of sunscreens that contain chemicals linked to the destruction of coral reefs.

The state legislature has moved to pass laws prohibiting lotions containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, believed by some scientists to contribute to coral bleaching.

A ban could be brought into place by January 2021, if the bill is approved by the state’s Democratic governor David Ige.

Around 3,500 sun protection products containing oxybenzone are currently available to consumers worldwide.

“Oxybenzone and octinoxate cause mortality in developing coral; increase coral bleaching that indicates extreme stress and cause genetic damage to coral and other marine organisms,” the bill states.

“These chemicals have also been shown to degrade corals' resiliency and ability to adjust to climate change factors and inhibit recruitment of new corals”.

The legislation warns chemical pollution in Hawaii’s waters was being “constantly refreshed and renewed” by swimmers and beach goers wearing sunscreen.

State senator Mike Gabbard, who proposed the ban, said the move was a “first-in-the-world law”.

“Hawaii is definitely on the cutting edge by banning these dangerous chemicals in sunscreens,” he told the Honolulu Star Advertiser.

“When you think about it, our island paradise, surrounded by coral reefs, is the perfect place to set the gold standard for the world to follow.

“This will make a huge difference in protecting our coral reefs, marine life, and human health.”

But, the plans have received opposition from the Hawaii Medical Association, which has raised concerns over the public health impact of banning certain types of sun lotion on the islands.

“We’ve got several decades of public policy and public health concerns about skin cancer and sun exposures,” Dr Chris Flanders, the organisation’s executive director told Hawaii Public Radio.

“That’s our big concern, that we don’t want people to skip on sunscreen.”

In 2015, a study published by an group of international scientists concluded oxybenzone was “highly toxic” to juvenile corals and other marine life.

The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Show all 17 1 /17 The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst The fish are still living around the reef Reef Encounter Cruises The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Underwater at the Great Barrier Reef Quicksilver Group The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Underwater at the Great Barrier Reef, May 2017, showing healthy coral alongside bleached coral Jenny Peters The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Underwater at the Great Barrier Reef showing a bleached coral Queensland Tourism The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst The iconic heart reef at the Great Barrier Reef Queensland Tourism The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Underwater at the Great Barrier Reef Mark Geddes/Quicksilver Group The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst There's still beauty to be found Reef Encounter Cruises The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef Queensland Tourism The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Great Barrier Reef coral garden Queensland Tourism The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst An aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef Queensland Tourism The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst The Quicksilver Silversonic ship departing for the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas, Australia Quicksilver Group The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Underwater at the Great Barrier Reef Reef Encounter Cruises The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Reef Encounter Cruises The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Reef Encounter Cruises The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Reef Encounter Cruises The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Reef Encounter Cruises The Great Barrier Reef at its best - and worst Jenny Cheetham getting to grips wth the reef Reef Encounter Cruises

Researchers found the chemical not only increased the likelihood of bleaching, but also caused DNA damage, abnormal skeleton growth and deformities in baby coral.

Coral bleaches when water temperatures rise above a level it can tolerate, leading it to expel the algae that usually share a symbiotic relationship with its polyps and eventually causing starvation.