![]() ![]() ![]() Many readers wanted to know if there was benzene in sunscreen products they were using. Valisure, a testing laboratory in New Haven, Connecticut, reported that dozens of brands were contaminated with benzene. “The Food and Drug Administration and manufacturers seem to have found Valisure’s testing credible: Prompted by those results, companies have now recalled more than 25 million products from the market, including Aveeno and Neutrogena aerosol sunscreens and Old Spice spray deodorant.” According to Consumer Reports (March 31, 2022): “Independent testing like Valisure’s is a critical part of the drug and product safety system because it can catch problems that the FDA, with its limited budget, might miss.”ĭid your eyes glaze over at the number 25 million? That is an unbelievable number of products pulled off shelves! Here is a link to some of the products that J&J pulled from the market. A Reader Wants to Know: Is There Still Benzene in Sunscreen? You will find Valisure’s FDA Full Citizen Petition “containing lists of products where benzene was detected” at this link. Last summer I read that my favorite spray-on sunscreen contained benzene. We were among the first to alert our readers to this problem! You are right that last July the FDA announced a “voluntary recall” of some Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol sunscreen products because of the presence of benzene. We also warned readers about octocrylene at this link. This compound may have led to formation of benzophenone. “Q: What is the risk from using drugs contaminated with benzene? On Jthe FDA answered questions about benzene contamination in drugs and other consumer products but failed to provide a current list of products to avoid. “ A: The health consequences of benzene exposure depend on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as age and preexisting medical conditions. FDA recommends consumers do not use products that are being recalled or those hand sanitizers FDA recommends consumers should not use. “In small amounts over long periods of time, benzene can decrease the formation of blood cells. Long term exposure to benzene through inhalation, oral intake, and skin absorption may result in cancers such as leukemia and other blood disorders. Mandatory Recalls:ĭid you read and understand the FDA’s last sentence above? At the risk of being painfully redundant, here it is: “FDA continues to monitor the quality of drugs and, when appropriate, encourages retailers to remove products from store shelves and online marketplaces when issues arise.” Voluntary vs.
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