Benzene Sunscreen Recall
Benzene in sunscreen is a serious health threat. Benzene is known to cause cancer, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control. It may cause various types of leukemia and other blood cancers. If you have been exposed to benzene in sunscreen and diagnosed with cancer, you may be entitled to compensation in a benzene sunscreen lawsuit.
Free Legal Consultation
Our product liability attorneys are ready to help if they can. If you have been diagnosed with one of the following, call us now at 888-520-5202, or email us for a free legal consultation.
a. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
b. Leukemia
c. Multiple Myeloma
d. Myelodysplatic Syndrome (MDS)
e. Lymphoma (including Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma)
Benzene discovered in Sunscreen
In May 2021, an independent lab – Valisure — detected high levels of benzene in several different brands of sunscreen, as well as in after-sun care products. Benzene is a toxic chemical and a known carcinogen. That means benzene can cause cancer in humans.
Benzene was found in 27 percent of samples tested by researchers, including many well-known sunscreen brands, including Neutrogena, CVS Health, Banana Boat, Walgreens.
Certain batches of sunscreen studied contained up to three times more benzene than the FDA’s concentration limit of 2 parts per million (ppm). According to Valisure (the independent lab testing sunscreen products): “The presence of this known human carcinogen [benzene] in products … regularly used by adults and children is very troubling.”
Valisure also urged public health authorities to further regulate the use of benzene in sunscreen and after-sun care products:
“Being that many of the tested sunscreen and after-sun care products did not contain detectable levels of benzene, it does not appear that benzene use is unavoidable for their manufacture. . . therefore, any significant detection of benzene should be deemed unacceptable.”
Which Sunscreens contain Benzene?
Sunscreen and after-sun care brands that contain benzene include:
• Aveeno
• Babyganics
• Banana Boat
• CVS Health
• EltaMD
• Equate
• Ethical Zinc
• Fruit of the Earth
• Goodsense
• LaRoche-Posay
• Live Better by CVS Health
• Max Block
• Neutrogena
• Raw Elements
• Sun Bum
• TopCare Everyday
• Walgreen’s
Valisure has urged the U.S. FDA – which regulates sunscreen products – to issue a sunscreen recall due to the elevated levels of benzene detected.
A Benzene Sunscreen Recall?
Consumer advocates have also urged the FDA to issue a sunscreen recall due to elevated benzene levels, but no such recall has been issued as of mid-2021.
Benzene Cancer Risk
Benzene is a known carcinogen capable of causing cancer in humans. A 2010 review of benzene research states:
“There is probably no safe level of exposure to benzene, and all exposures constitute some risk.”
According to Valisure’s report, FDA research has determined that chemicals in sunscreen products (which may include benzene) are “found in the blood at high levels after application to the skin.”
What is Benzene?
Benzene is a naturally forming chemical often used as a starting material in manmade substances that include plastics, lubricants, dyes, detergents, rubbers, and pesticides. Benzene is among the 20 most widely used chemicals in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
Benzene is colorless and flammable. It has a distinctly sweet odor which belies its toxic nature. Organizations that classify benzene as a cancer-causing chemical include:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- National Toxicology Program
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Benzene Exposure linked with certain types of Cancer
Human studies, as well as animal lab testing, have confirmed that benzene causes cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) says the link is especially strong between benzene and leukemia and other blood cancers. The ACS says: “Rates of leukemia, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML), have been found to be higher in studies of workers exposed to high levels of benzene, such as those in the chemical, shoemaking, and oil refining industries.”
Benzene in sunscreen may also increase the risk of cancer, including leukemia and other blood cancers. Research has found a potential link between benzene and various types of cancer, including:
• Leukemia
• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
According to an associate professor of dermatology at Yale University, Dr. Christopher Bunick, no safe level of benzene can exist in sunscreen products.
Benzene Sunscreen Litigation Investigation
Our attorneys are now investigating claims that benzene in sunscreen causes cancer, especially leukemia and other blood cancers.
We are investigating several sunscreen products that may contain benzene, including:
o Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Weightless, SPF 100+
o Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Weightless, SPF 70
o Neutrogena Beach Defense Oil-Free Body Spray, SPF 100
o Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Body Sunscreen Broad Spectrum, SPF 60+
o Neutrogena Beach Defense Body Spray, SPF 50
o Banana Boat UltraMist Deep Tanning Dry Oil Continuous Clear Spray SPF 4
o Banana Boat Kids Max Protect & Play Sunscreen C-Spray SPF 100
o Elta MD UV Aero Broad-Spectrum Full-Body Sunscreen Spray, SPF45
Anyone diagnosed with one of the following conditions is invited to call our law firm:
o Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
o Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
o Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
o Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
o Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
o Multiple Myeloma
o Aplastic Anemia
Free Consultation for Benzene Sunscreen Cancer Recall
If you have been exposed to benzene in sunscreen and have been diagnosed with cancer such as leukemia, call 1-888-520-5202 today or email us for a free legal consultation.
RELATED
