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Sunscreen is a popular way to protect the skin from cancer and damage associated with ultraviolet radiation. However, evidence is emerging that suggests that certain types of sunscreen contain benzene, a toxic chemical that’s a known human carcinogen.
Dozens of sunscreen products recently tested positive for benzene—a chemical that’s commonly found in paint thinners and gasoline—which led to demands for product recalls and questions about the safety of sunscreen chemicals. These new findings suggest that people who use sunscreen in an effort to avoid skin cancer may actually be increasing their risk of developing other types of cancers. Studies show that consistent exposure to benzene, even at very low levels, is a significant risk factor for blood tissue cancers such as leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer after using a sunscreen that contained benzene, you may be able to file a sunscreen cancer lawsuit. Contact our offices to find out if you qualify.
Laboratory testing performed by Valisure found that dozens of sunscreen and after-sun care products contain the industrial chemical benzene.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have both classified benzene as “carcinogenic to humans.” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates sunscreens and considered them drugs, also classifies benzene as a “Class 1 solvent” that should not be used in the manufacture of drug substances and drug products.
Evidence suggests that sunscreen containing benzene could cause cancer. Although no specific studies have been performed on benzene sunscreens and cancer, samples of popular sunscreen brands tested by Valisure detected benzene. Valisure cites Dr. Christopher Bunick, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Yale University, who stated, “There is not a safe level of benzene that can exist in sunscreen products.”
When sunscreen containing benzene is applied to the skin, it’s absorbed into the body and the chemical enters the bloodstream, where it can cause cancer. IARC notes that benzene exposure is linked to acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Valisure’s research reveals that many popular sunscreen brands contain benzene. These brands include:
Valisure analyzed nearly 300 unique batches from dozens of sunscreen brands and detected benzene in 78 product batches, including 26 products with benzene levels between 0.1 parts per million (ppm) and 2 ppm, and 14 products with benzene levels over 2 ppm. “Even benzene at 0.1 ppm in a sunscreen could expose people to excessively high nanogram amounts of benzene,” Dr. Christopher Bunick told Valisure.
Multiple types of Neutrogena sunscreen were found by Valisure to contain benzene. Specific Neutrogena products in which benzene was detected include:
Johnson & Johnson, the company that owns Neutrogena, issued a voluntary recall of some Neutrogena sunscreen products in response to Valisure testing results. J&J has stated that benzene is not an ingredient in any of their sunscreen products, and the recall was done out of “an abundance of caution.”
Sunscreen is meant to prevent skin cancer—not cause it. Serious questions remain about how benzene ended up in these products and what the manufacturers knew—or should have known—about cancer-causing ingredients in sunscreen. What is known is that a known human carcinogen like benzene has no place in any product, especially not a product intended to be applied every day, for a lifetime.
Did you use a sunscreen that, unbeknownst to you or your doctor, contains benzene? Have you been diagnosed with cancer? Our sunscreen cancer lawyers are ready to review your claim and let you know how we can help. Contact us today. Call (904) 398-1992 or fill out our contact form now for a free consultation.
