NEW YORK STATE SENATE OFFICE OF SENATOR MICHAEL GIANARIS For Immediate Release June 28, 2012 Contact:

Anna Adams-Sarthou 718-728-0960 sarthou@nysenate.gov

SENATOR GIANARIS PROPOSES CHANGES TO SCHOOL POLICY RESTRICTING SUNSCREEN USAGE IN SCHOOLS Prompts NYSED to review its policy. Queens, NY In an effort to increase cancer prevention and sun poisoning, Senator Michael Gianaris is working to better protect children from getting excessive exposure to the sun. He introduced a bill that would change impractical New York State Department of Education (NYSED) regulations regarding the application of sunscreen in schools and summer camps to ensure that children are able to apply sunscreen when spending time outside. NYSED and the Federal Food and Drug Administration include sunscreen in their lists of over-the-counter drugs. Current NYSED guidelines state that schools should require a note from a doctor as well as parental consent for a child to use over-the-counter medicines like sunscreen during school hours. Summer camps also follow these guidelines. Understanding the importance for children to be able to apply sunscreen as necessary, Senator Gianariss bill would require only a note from a parent and erase the need for a doctors note in order for children to put on sunscreen while in school or at camp. At a time when we are trying to increase cancer prevention, it is senseless for schools to make it more difficult for children to use sunscreen, Senator Gianaris said. It should not be necessary to pass legislation to realize this common sense solution, however that is exactly what we will do if regulations are not changed. Senator Gianariss proposal has caused NYSED to review its policy. The bill was prompted by an incident in Washington State in which two young girls were hospitalized from severe sunburns after having spent many hours outside participating in their schools filed day. They were not allowed to put on sunscreen because, similar to New Yorks guidelines, Washington requires a doctors and parents note in order for children to apply sunscreen while in school. Studies have shown that long-term, unprotected overexposure to ultraviolet light causes up to 90% of all skin cancers, which are the most common form of cancer in this country. Most skin damage occurs before the age of 18. Even if a childs sunburn or tan fades, the skin damage remains and, with each new sunburn or tan, that damage could accumulate and result in skin cancer later in life. ### http://www.scribd.com/SenatorMikeGianaris www.gianaris.nysenate.gov