More Cities Are Doubling Down on Free Sunscreen

As we head into the summer, many cities want to make sure residents are slathering on sunscreen. A new initiative in New York City could make it easier to take preventative measures against skin cancer, with free sunscreen dispensers available across all five boroughs.

The dispensers are a collaboration between the company Bright Guard and the nonprofit Impact Melanoma. They began their partnership in 2014, and have since installed over 2000 free dispensers across all 50 states. As part of their expansion, around 80 free dispensers stocked with SPF 30 sunscreen lotion will be placed across the city, at Coney Island, McCarren Park, Randall’s Island, and all public pools and beaches. New York City’s Department of Parks and Recreation and City Comptroller Scott Stringer announced that these dispensers will be installed on Saturday at city beaches as part of a two-year pilot program. Depending on the success of the program, Bright Guard hopes to add stations in the city’s parks and all public schools in Manhattan.