Sunscreen & Benzene
- Johnson & Johnson is recalling some Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreen products because benzene was found in testing.
- Benzene is a known carcinogen, meaning its link to cancer, particularly blood cancers, has been established.
- In June, an independent lab called Valisure announced that it detected the benzene in higher than recommended levels in 78 sunscreen products — and petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue recalls.
“Internal testing identified low levels of benzene in some samples of the products. Consumers should stop using the affected products,” the company said in a statement.
Read MoreIn June an independent lab called Valisure announced that it detected the benzene in higher than recommended levels in 78 sunscreen products — and petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue recalls.
Valisure tested 300 sun care products and found that 27% of those contained benzene — and 5% contained benzene at levels higher than 2 parts per million (ppm), which is the FDA’s recommended limit. A full list of all the products benzene was detected in can be found in Valisure’s petition to the FDA.
What is Benzene, Anyway?
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.
How Do I Select the Right Sunscreen?
There are a lot of sun safety products to choose from when it comes to protecting your skin from harmful rays. In a previous conversation, New York City based dermatologist Dr. Snehal Amin told SurvivorNet that when it comes to choosing a product, the ingredients matter more than the brand name.
Dr. Snehal Amin provides recommendations for choosing the right sunscreen products.
“My recommendation is really focused on the ingredients rather than the brands,” Dr. Amin said. “If you like how the brand feels on your skin, if you like the purpose of the brand for instance, sport vs. daily use or daytime use vs. short burst of activity use I think those are more important factors than actual brands.”
Dr. Amin also pointed out that while sunscreen is important, it’s not the only way you should be protecting your skin from strong rays. If you’re planning a day out in the sun, accessories like a wide-brim hat or a surf shirt offer protection as well.
Contributing: Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore
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