Very quietly, the sunscreen industry has become muddled in a controversy over misleading labeling and false product claims. In conjunction with our blog on this subject, below you will find a list of newspaper and magazine articles and medical reports that help better explain the debate. This selection of articles is just a sampling. Any google search will find more good and pertinent information.

• Michael Castleman has 2 articles that are good introductions to this issue. The first, Beach Bummer (written in 1993!) and the second, Sunscam, offer stark assessments on the efficacy of using sunscreens in cancer prevention.

• This isn't a small legal issue either...big money is as stake. Even our own Chief Justice found himself involved!

• For more information on the legal suits filed, check out some of these articles:

• March 31^st, 2006 in Consumer Affairs;

• The NPR Legal Affairs desk filed this article;

• WebMD looks at the issue here;

• MSNBC carried the story here;

• CNN has a take as well;

• and finally, Kabana Skin Care has a nice overview of the story here.

• The issue being debated is around labeling. Congress recognized this gap in 1997 and ordered the FDA to act. In 1999 the FDA issued a talk paper that finalized regulations. They re-issued a talk paper in 2000 granting the industry more time to comply with the new guidelines. The FDA hasn't acted since this talk paper. They did issue this clarifying bulletin in 2000.

• In contrast, the European Union has already taken official action. You can read more about how the EU has tackled this issue here, here, here and here.

• It is interesting to note how European based companies have embraced this change with a willingness and with the consumers' overall health benefit in mind, while the American companies have hired high-power lobbying firms to combat FDA regulations.

• Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is miffed at the delay.

• Life Extension Magazine talks about the Sunscreen Paradox.

• Proctor and Gamble scientists analyzed 188 currently marketed sunscreen products for protection against the broad spectrum of UV light and found that the level of UVA protection in many products is inconsistent.

• Thomas Frank wrote an article for Newsday.com and thinks the long wait by the FDA might have something to do with big business, including the sunscreen industry, having “Friends on the Inside”.

• A general sunscreen overview is available here.

• If you would like to send comments to the Attorney General of your state, you can find their contact information here.