Pantene, Herbal Essences Hair Products Recalled Over Possible Cancer-Causing Chemical; What Is Benzene and How Does it Affect Your Health?

This consumer-level recall is due to the presence of benzene, which in heightened levels has been linked to leukemia and other hematologic (blood) cancers. The carcinogen can be absorbed through the skin in liquid form, ingested or inhaled as its vapor lingers in the air.  Proctor & Gamble in November recalled Old Spice and Secret aerosol spray antiperspirants and Old Spice Below Deck aerosol spray products sold in the United States.

Proctor & Gamble said in a statement that the voluntary recall applies only to products with specific production code ranges. The following image shows where you can find the production code on the bottom of the can. The first four numbers of the production code are the only ones necessary to determine if your product is impacted and falls within the ranges provided below.

The aerosol dry conditioner spray products being recalled are:

1. Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner Weightless Smooth, 3.6oz., Production code range: 0002-0248 or 9298-9350
2. Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner Instant Moisture, 3.6oz., Production code range: 0009-0069 or 9297-9350
3. Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner Weightless Smooth, .98oz., Production code range: 0084-0085 or 9284-9361
4. Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner Instant Moisture, .98oz., Production code range: 0017-0100 or 9283-9284
5. Pantene Sultry Bronde All in One Luxury Mist, 4.9oz., Production code range: 0038
6. Pantene Smooth Talker Dry Conditioning Oil, 3.9oz., Production code range: 0183-0365 or 1042-1046
7. Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9oz., Production code range: 0048-0336 or 1008-1218 or 9247-9349
8. Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9oz., Production code range: 0048-0336 or 1008-1218 or 9247-9349
9. Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 1.0oz., Production code range: 0107-0262 or 9112-9288
10. Pantene Gold Series Instant Nourishing Spray, 4.9oz., Production code range: 0307 or 9263-9266
11. Aussie Smooth Vibes Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz., Production code range: 0021 or 1038 or 9294-9325
12. Aussie Petal Soft Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz., Production code range: 9196-9246
13. Aussie Sleekend Warrior Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz., Production code range: 0014-0062 or 9198-9349

The aerosol dry shampoo spray products being recalled are:

1. Herbal Essences Blue Ginger Refresh Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz., Production code range: 9047-9072
2. Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz., Production code range: 0015-0314 or 1004-1019 or 9028-9348
3. Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz., Production code range: 0167-0308 or 1105-1106 or 9049-9348
4. Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz., Production code range: 0093 or 1075 or 9029-9294
5. Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 1.7oz., Production code range: 0036-0329 or 1019-1098 or 9023-9312
6. Pantene Dry Shampoo No Water Refresh, 4.9oz., Production code range: 9009-9058
7. Pantene Dry Shampoo Sheer Volume, 4.9oz., Production code range: 9025-9260
8. Pantene Never Tell Dry Shampoo, 4.2oz., Production code range: 0006-0364 or 1074-1133 or 9157-9329
9. Aussie After Hours Dry Shampoo Texture Spray, 4.9oz., Production code range: 0139-0140
10. Aussie Tousle Hustle Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz., Production code range: 0013-0300 or 1038 or 9189
11. Aussie Bounce Back Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz., Production code range: 0013-00357 or 1018-1123 or 9189-9345
12. Aussie Clean Color Protect Shampoo, 4.9oz., Production code range: 9047-9123
13. Aussie Clean Texture Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz., Production code range: 9072-9176
14. Aussie Clean Volume Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz., Production code range: 9085
15. Waterl<ss Dry Shampoo No Residue, 3.7oz., Production code range: 0004-0357 or 9291-9344
16. Waterl<ss Dry Shampoo No Residue, 1oz., Production code range: 0175-0176 or 9295-9297
17. Hair Food Coconut Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz., Production code range: 0027-0192 or 9007
18. Old Spice Fiji Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz., Production code range: 9046-9228
19. Old Spice Pure Sport Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz., Production code range: 9040-9239

Proctor & Gamble says it began a review of its portfolio of aerosol products following recent reports that indicated traces of benzene in some aerosol spray products.

“While benzene is not an ingredient in any of our products, our review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can,” the company statement said. “We detected benzene in aerosol dry shampoo spray products and aerosol dry conditioner spray products. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the consumers who use our products and the quality of the products we ship.”

What Is Benzene?

Benzene is a colorless or light yellow liquid that can form naturally or be produced by human activities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The chemical is sometimes released into the air through automobile emissions or the burning of coal or oil.

It is also used in the manufacturing of some plastics, rubbers, dyes, detergents, and drugs.

The chemical is a known carcinogen, meaning its link to cancer, particularly blood cancers, has been established. The FDA allows the chemical to be used in drug manufacturing only if the use is unavoidable and the drug product makes a "significant therapeutic advance." If the chemical must be used, benzene levels should be limited to 2 ppm "unless otherwise justified," according to FDA regulations.

Dr. Jay Shah, cancer care program leader for urologic oncology at the Stanford Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet that benzene levels only become an issue if an individual is frequently exposed to a product.

"While a growing body of medical research shows that chemicals in your environment can slightly increase your risk of getting cancer, it's unlikely that occasional exposure, like getting your nails or your hair done, will do much harm," Dr. Shah explained.

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This becomes more of a concern with daily-use products such as: shampoo; conditioner; face wash, lotion or serum; make-up; soap; or deodorant.

Dr. Shah pointed out that data suggests that individuals who frequently use a product containing a cancer-causing chemical do have a greater risk of being diagnosed with the disease.

"Hairdressers who handle a lot of hair dyes are historically known to have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer," Dr. Shah gave as an example.

In addition to frequent use, genetics can also play a role in determining a person's risk factors.

Dr. George Yaghmour, assistant professor of clinical medicine at USC Keck School of Medicine, previously told SurvivorNet that products with benzene can be a "driving factor" that impacts those who are already at risk of developing cancer due to a genetic predisposition.

"We don't believe that there are factors that cause leukemia, but we believe that there are mutations accumulated from different environmental factors, on top of predisposing genes … that turn into leukemia," Dr. Yaghmour explained.

What Should Consumers Do with Recalled Products?

Anyone with questions about the recall can contact Proctor & Gamble's consumer care team weekdays from 9 a.m. 6 p.m. EST at 1-888-674-3631.

Additionally, individuals can go online to the Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Hair Food, Old Spice or Waterl<ss websites for more information about which products are being recalled or to get more information about refunds.

If any person using these products believes they have had or are having an adverse reaction, they should contact their physician or a healthcare provider. Those individuals may also reach out to FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online, by calling to request a form or downloading a pre-addressed form to send via regular mail or by faxing the agency at 1-800-FDA-0178 should they wish to report an adverse reaction or any general quality problems with the recalled products. Individuals can contact the FDA by calling 1-800-332-1088.

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Signs & Symptoms of Benzene Exposure

People who breathe in high levels of benzene may develop the following signs and symptoms within minutes to several hours:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Headaches
• Tremors
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness
• Death (at very high levels)

Eating foods or drinking beverages containing high levels of benzene can cause the following symptoms within minutes to several hours:

• Vomiting
• Irritation of the stomach
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Convulsions
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Death (at very high levels)

Contributing: SurvivorNet staff reports

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