Sunscreen – appropriate sunscreens are mandatory for life in South Florida due to the increased risk of skin cancer associated with repeated sun exposure over time. Active sunscreen ingredients may either be minerals such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide or chemicals. A Wall Street Journal article from 18 Jul 2020 Sunscreen Chemicals Accumulate in Body at High Levels by Jo Craven McGinty reports on an FDA study showing that six of the most commonly used active ingredients in sunscreen are absorbed into the bloodstream at concentrations far greater than the FDA safety threshold. Some of the chemicals may be associated with endocrine disruption and reproductive harm. The FDA recognizes the minerals zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as safe and effective. The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit research organization that rates products. A list of safe sunscreens can be found on their website.
Buying and filleting fish – An excellent article in the WSJ on 17 July 2020 by Kathleen Squires gives pointers on buying fish and describes how to fillet one. The fish should be purchased scaled and gutted. The fish eyes should be clear and the flesh firm. Push on the flesh. It should spring back and not leave an impression. Blood remnants in the head cavity should be bright red. The fish should not smell “fishy” or have an aroma of ammonia. Please see Secrets of a Savvy Seafood Shopper for details on how to fillet your fish.