Dozens of different aerosol products (deodorants, shampoos, sunscreens, athlete’s foot treatments) have all been recalled in recent months due to the benzene contaminationa substance that causes cancer.
The most recent recall was of six aerosol antiperspirants from Brut and Sure last week, due to the benzene contamination.
But this is just the latest of a variety of benzene-related recalls, including:
Pantene and Herbal Essence spray dry shampoos and conditioners in December. Old Spice and Secret antiperspirant sprays in November. Tinactin and Lotrimin antifungal sprays, and Coppertone spray sunscreens, in October. Spray sunscreens from Neutrogena and Aveeno, in July. Benzene is classified as a known group A human carcinogen by the US Environmental Protection Agency. It has been most closely linked to leukemia and other blood cancers.
Exposure to benzene can occur through the skin, as well as through inhalation or ingestion, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“We know in particular that very low concentrations of benzene have been associated with an increased risk of cancer,” said David Andrews, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group. “ANDBenzene is very harmful to cells, and can lead to direct DNA damage, cell death, and ultimately an increased risk of cancer“.
Unfortunately, no one is sure what causes benzene contamination in these personal care products, Andrews said.
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“Part of the hypothesis is that it comes from petroleum-derived ingredients” used in aerosol propellant, he explained.
“But what the exact source is in all of these products, and whether it’s consistent across all of them, hasn’t been fully determined yet,” Andrews continued. “There are a lot of petroleum-derived ingredients in some consumer products, so it could be coming from multiple sources of one or more ingredients.”
The contamination is not limited to one company’s products: Johnson & Johnson, Bayer, Proctor & Gamble, and TCP HOT Acquisition LLC dba HRB Brands are among manufacturers whose aerosol products have been recalled due to unexpected levels of benzene.
The Personal Care Products Council “is aware of studies reporting the presence of trace amounts of benzene in some personal care productsThe industry trade group said in a statement.
“Benzene is a compound that is ubiquitous in the environment, and not an ingredient that is intentionally added to personal care products,” the statement continued. “People around the world are exposed to benzene daily from indoor and outdoor sources, including air, drinking water, and food and beverages.”
The council added that “a few traces” of benzene “They do not pose a safety concern for consumers.”
“Based on exposure modeling and cancer risk assessments published by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the daily exposure to benzene in personal care products causes adverse health consequences,” the council statement continued.
People concerned about benzene exposure should avoid aerosolized personal care products until more is known, Andrews recommended.
They should also call for more and better testing and regulation of these products, he added.
“Consumers who are aware of the problem should lobby product manufacturers and submit their concerns to the Food and Drug Administration, because this is an area where there is currently inadequate oversight,” Andrews said. “This is part of a larger problem, in terms of the FDA’s lack of oversight and authority over the manufacturing of personal care products and the regulation of contaminants.”
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