Action 9: FDA looking into safety of spray sunscreen

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — You may want to think twice about spray sunscreen.  

The U.S. FDA has been studying the spray version for three years now.  It's considering warnings like "do not spray directly into face," hold the spray "4 to 6 inches" from your skin, and don't spray in "windy conditions."  Some companies already include those warnings on their labels, like Coppertone's Water Babies.  But, while the FDA looks into it, Consumer Reports says don't use the spray unless you have no other option.  And, in that case, at least spray it on your hand, then rub it in.  

Adults, like Emily Correll, know how hard it can be getting sunscreen on children, especially when they squirm.  She says the spray kind "is just so quick and easy. For myself too.Just spray and go. It dries."  

But with that mist lingering in the air, medical professionals, like Jamie Moffett's friend, wonder how much sunscreen children end up breathing in.  He specializes in pediatric infectious diseases.

Moffett said he told her, "Absolutely no using this spray. The particles get into the lungs. And it causes all sorts of problems, so I won't use it anymore."

WSOC