"We did not have the chance of acquiring any of the Aveeno sprays, but it certainly sounds like Johnson & Johnson's own internal testing confirms our overall concern with benzene in the sunscreens," Light said. In recent years, studies have shown that many of the common chemical ingredients used in sunscreens are absorbed into the bodys bloodstream at concentration levels higher than the FDAs safety threshold. Exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause death, the ATSDR says, but the impacts of eating foods or drinking liquids containing lower levels of benzene are not known. Among the 10 brands with highest concentrations of benzene in their products, only Aveeno, Neutrogena and Coppertone have issued recalls. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are recalling certain lots of these specific aerosol sunscreen spray products," the company said in a statement. The presence of benzene in aerosol sunscreens is especially concerning, because it can be both inhaled and absorbed through the skin. In July 2021, Johnson & Johnson recalled five aerosol sunscreen products and CVS stopped selling two sunscreen products because of the presence of the carcinogen benzene. Contact Us | "This isn't a sunscreen issue, it's a manufacturing issue," said Adam Friedman, MD, professor and chief of dermatology at George Washington University. Products made with octocrylene can naturally degrade into the chemicalbenzophenone, a suspected carcinogen that can interfere with key hormones and reproductive organs, according to a studypublished inChemical Research in Toxicology in March. The ratings indicate both efficacy and the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other sunscreens. Short-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause dizziness and headache and even be fatal if the level is high enough. One of the companys other spray sunscreen products, Neutrogena Wet Skin, was not included in the recall. No one knows for sure how the toxin ended up in sun care products. The levels detected were low and would not be expected to have an adverse effect on health, but the company says it is recalling the products anyway out of an abundance of caution.. Should you be concerned? Is it 'Zoom face' or is the pandemic aging you? The Food and Drug Administration advised consumers to stop using the recalled products, which were made between Jan. 10, 2021, and Jun. We have a tendency in our society to say that its such a small amount and, therefore, its not harmfulbut the chronic buildup of these chemicals could have a cumulative effect.. ", "There is not a safe level of benzene that can exist in sunscreen products," said Dr. Christopher Bunick, associate professor of dermatology at Yale University, in. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates sunscreen as a drug product and after-sun products as a cosmetic. Benzene is a sweet-smelling, petroleum-derived toxic chemical widely recognized to cause cancer and other serious health effects, with no safe level for human exposure. The FDA is reportedly evaluating Valisures petition. The researchers tested 16octocrylene-based sunscreen sprays and lotions purchased in France and the U.S., and all of them tested positive for benzophenone. IvesStar NaturalsStream2SeaStudio SelectionSukinSummer LotionSun BumSunBioLogicSunbloczSuntegrity SkincareSuntribesunumbraSupergoop!SUR Clean Skincare SyorelltarteTatchaTeatricalThe Lip BarThinkthinkbabythinksportThrive MarketThrive SkincareTIZOTopcareTrader Joe'sTropic SkincareTropical SeasTropicSportTruBabyTruKidTubby Todd Bath CoTula SkincareTwo Peas OrganicsUlta BeautyUndefinedUnicorn Snot GlitterUnsunUp & UpUrban HydrationUrban Skin RxUrsa MajorUV NaturalVanicreamVerdureVersedVertraVichyVIVAIODAYSVolitionW3LL PEOPLEWalgreensWash with WaterWaxhead Sun DefenseWegmansWinky LuxYes to Yes To GrapefruitYourGoodSkin ZITSTICKAZO Skin Health. A number of sunscreens have been shown to be ineffective or contain chemicals that can enter the bloodstream and disrupt hormones. Take EWG's Sunscreen Guide with you! "It's obvious that we shouldn't be taking that risk, and we just wanted it cleaned up.". If you are concerned, my advice is to use mineral-based sunscreens, hats, and sun-protective clothing, and wait for the FDA to do their research. Sure, but right now, we dont know that.. Coppertone has issued a recall for five of its aerosol sunscreen products after finding benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, in some batches. Its a chemical that doesnt have to be there. He said that "CVS products have not been recalled," but the company has paused sales of the two CVS products, which tested positive for benzene, "out of an abundance of caution." Privacy Policy | If you're interested in having your sunscreen tested in their crowdsourcing study, the full instructions on how to package and send your product. Many people believe the Food and Drug Administration will protect them from unsafe products. Recent reports link certain sunscreens to cancer-causing chemicals. Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, Yale Medicine dermatologist. The companies recently pulled several sunscreens from market shelves after independent testing had found they were contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical called benzene. "Exposure to benzene increases the risk of developing leukemia and other blood disorders,". Waist trainers: What happens when you uncinch? Sign up now and get a FREE copy of theBest Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Valisure has committed to testing additional sun care products as they have space in their lab schedules, and it is encouraging people to send in sunscreens and sun care products they have purchased to be analyzed. Reprint Permission Information, Take EWG's Sunscreen Guide with you! Furthermore, this provides an opportunity for innovation when it comes to skin care, Dr. Bunick says. Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology, Dermatologic Surgery, Summer Is Almost OverDo I Still Need To Wear Sunscreen? At the same time, it emphasized the importance of using alternative sunscreen products to protect the skin from excessive sun exposure, which can lead to skin cancer including melanoma. All of this uncertainty may leave consumers unsure of what to do, and experts worry some may forgo the use of sunscreen altogether. And its list of ingredients banned and restricted for use in cosmetics includes only nine substances out of the tens of thousands manufacturers may use. There is a lot of controversy right now about the chemical sunscreens. According to the lab, 27 percent of the batches had detectable concentrations of benzene, which is restricted by the FDA for use in sunscreen products because of its unacceptable toxicity.. "The finding of benzene in sunscreen was certainly surprising to me as a scientist and a consumer. However, dont avoid sunscreen altogether: just choose different brands. Coppertone has issued a recall for five of its aerosol sunscreen products after finding benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, in some batches. Another spray, Neutrogena's Cool Dry Sport, and CVS Health's After-sun Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel, tested at .01 to 2 parts per million of benzene in some samples. We asked Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, a Yale Medicine dermatologist, to explain the situation. Benzene is known to cause cancer in humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the World Health Organization, and other regulatory agencies. All Rights Reserved. How to safely exercise outdoors when it's hot out, according to the National Cancer Institute, 22 sun hats to keep you cool (and sunburn-free) all summer, How to safely avoid sunburn in the age of coronavirus. If you are concerned, my advice is to use mineral-based sunscreens, hats, and sun-protective clothing, and wait for the FDA to do their research. The plant milk shake-up: Pea and pistachio join oat and almond, Millions rely on wheelchairs for mobility, but repair delays are hurting users. Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer known as 'merchant of death'? CVS Health also stopped selling two of its after-sun care products due to similar findings. "Sadly, consumers are screwed. (Hint: Yes). WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. In July 2021, Johnson & Johnson, which owns Aveeno and Neutrogena, issued a recall for specific aerosol sunscreens even though it said daily exposure to their contaminated sunscreen would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences.. According to Valisures report, 27% of the tested sampleswhich included aerosol sprays and lotionscontained detectable levels of benzene, and some contained up to three times the conditionally restricted FDA concentration limit of 2 parts per million. 2005 - 2022 WebMD LLC. Strong legs help power summer activities: Hiking, biking, swimming, and more. Its important to emphasize that the affected products were contaminated with benzene, something that could have happened to any product and not just sunscreen, says Dr. Bunick. And what can you do to protect yourself and your family? "We don't want those things to be blurred.". Melanoma, one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer, has been. Our annual Guide to Sunscreens evaluates products based on a combination of ingredient hazard and efficacy ratings. If you must use a pump or spray, apply sunscreen to your hands first then wipe it on your skin to ensure uniform sun protection. The moves came after an online pharmacy identified traces of benzene in dozens of sunscreen products and petitioned the FDA to investigate. The sunscreen products that have been recalled are: These products were distributed nationwide through a variety of retail stores. BONUS! The company petitioned the FDA, asking for a recall of the contaminated products, and requested that the FDA better define limits for benzene contamination in drug and cosmetic products. My understanding is that the COVID-19 pandemic knocked this additional testing off track, Dr. Bunick says. "But it's very alarming, especially since the FDA does not require companies to test ingredients for contaminants, nor does it require testing for such chemicals at a finished product stage," he added. About 2,400 sun-protection products contain the ingredient. One potential hypothesis of how the benzene was introduced is that it came from the ethanol used in the manufacturing process.. But Consumer Reports obtained an internal FDA health hazard evaluation in December 2021, a week before Johnson & Johnsons recall, that reached a different conclusion. Highly flammable, it will float on water, and while it evaporates quickly, it is heavier than air and can sink into low-lying areas, the CDC noted. The recall involves 12 lots of Pure & Simple SPF 50, Pure & Simple Kinds SPF 50, Pure & Simply Baby SPF 50, Sport Mineral SPF 50, travel-size Coppertone and Sport Spray SPF 50. Multiple samples contained "significantly detectable benzene and some batches contained up to 3.1 times the conditionally restricted limit,", "We petitioned the FDA to recall or to request recalls of the products that are 0.1 per million and above," Light told CNN. Download the Healthy Living App TodayTake EWG's Sunscreen Guide with you! Benzene contamination of some sunscreens should not discourage anyone from wearing sunscreen altogether. Because the contamination was sporadic and likely occurred accidentally, there is no way for consumers to look at a label and choose a product without benzene, Faber said. Johnson & Johnson: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Specific NEUTROGENA and AVEENO Aerosol Sunscreen Products Due to the Presence of Benzene. Other studies have shown that benzene is absorbed at especially high rates when sunscreen is applied. At room temperature, benzene is a colorless or light yellow liquid with a sweet odor. Inhalation exposure has been the primary focus of toxicology investigations, as has exposure from things such as contaminated drinking water not via topical application. Dennis GrossDr. You dont have to buy products with octocrylene, and hopefully, the companies and the FDA do the responsible thing and improve quality control checks on their products, he says. But other sunscreens and after-sun cosmetics, which also tested positive for the toxin, remain on the market (the full list is below). Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. But, experts warned, that's an even worse idea. Preventing C. diff in and out of the hospital, Managing weight gain from psychiatric medications. 15, 2021. In May 2021, an independent laboratory published a chemical analysis of 294 batches of sunscreen and after-sun care products from 69 brands. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. The voluntary recalls and pause in sales came after an independent lab tested 294 samples from 69 brands of sprays, lotions, gels and creams designed to protect the skin from the sun or care for the skin after sun. Its not clear why the FDA withheld its internal evaluation from the public. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any. BrandtDr. Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Johnson & Johnson Recalls 5 Aerosol Sunscreens After Finding Carcinogen Traces. The same pharmacy (Valisure LLC) was also responsible for testing that triggered recalls in 2019 and 2020 of heartburn and diabetes medications found to contain the carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine. When selecting a product: Shoppers can download EWGs Healthy Living App to get ratings and safety information for sunscreens and other personal care products. The contaminated products came from a variety of companies, including Johnson & Johnson, which in late July,issued a voluntary recall of several sunscreens from its Aveeno and Neutrogena brands. Thanks for visiting. "While the FDA evaluates the citizen petition submitted by Valisure, we will continue to monitor sunscreen manufacturing and marketing to help ensure the availability of safe sunscreens for U.S. consumers," an FDA spokesperson said. Long-term exposure is known to cause serious health issues, including leukemia, and anemia from reduced blood cell production. Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, Yale Medicine dermatologist. Before going outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) to any exposed skin. Many personal care products are unfortunately contaminated with toxic chemicals that can harm public health, from asbestos being discovered in childrens makeup to the presence of the forever chemicals known as PFAS in many cosmetics. New information on treatments for both medical skin conditions and cosmetic problems is available in the Special Health Report Skin Care and Repair. In response to Valisure's petition, the FDA told CNN that it "evaluates and assesses the information provided in citizen petitions of this type and, generally, initiates an independent testing and verification process.". Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! Even in October, overexposure to the suns radiation is harmful and increases your risk for skin cancer. Or it could be that some of those chemicals break down into benzene, although that seems less likely," Faber said. The recall covered all can sizes and SPF levels, which were distributed to stores nationwide. Download the Healthy Living App Today, EWG provides information on sunscreen products from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. Choose a lotion instead of a spray. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images Wisely choose your time in the sun by avoiding the most intense rays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and seek shade whenever possible. But no aerosol products bear the mark. Legal Disclaimer | Aveeno's Protect + Refresh aerosol, which was the fifth sunscreen recalled by J&J, was not tested by Valisure. That petition suggested that the finding of benzene was the result of contamination somewhere in the manufacturing process. according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On the other hand, ultraviolet radiation is a well-established carcinogen. CVS halted sales of two highly contaminated products but did not issue a recall. July 15, 2021 -- Consumers should stop using certain brands of spray-on sunscreen products made by Johnson & Johnson. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. The Personal Care Products Council, an industry association, said its members were "firmly committed" to providing products with "ingredients that have been thoroughly tested for safety and follow the requirements of the law. But before you slather that product on your skin, first check to see if it is part of a voluntary recall by sunscreen brands Neutrogena and Aveeno. In late May, Valisure, an independent quality assurance company in New Haven, Conn., detected high levels of benzene, a known human carcinogen, in78 sunscreen and after-sun care products. Personally, I dont use sunscreen with that ingredient, and I do not recommend it to my patients. Of those, 78 samples tested positive for benzene. CVS and other brands quietly took some of theirs off the shelves, too, Dr. Bunick says. FDA researchers found that active ingredients in most/all sunscreens are absorbed through the skin after just a single application. Wear shorts, shirts, pants and hats to help block dangerous rays and apply safe sunscreens to exposed skin. Benzene was not an ingredient in any of the sunscreens, so experts suspect contamination had to have occurred during the manufacturing process. In 2019, the FDA proposed a rule requiring sunscreen manufacturers do additional testing of 12 common chemical ingredients to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Because of concerns about their effect on respiratory system, they are not eligible for participation in the EWG VERIFIED program. All batches, or lots, of these four Neutrogena spray sunscreens and one Aveeno spray were voluntarily recalled this week by parent company Johnson & Johnson (J&J) "out of an abundance of caution": "While benzene is not an ingredient in any of our sunscreen products, it was detected in some samples of the impacted aerosol sunscreen finished products," J&J reported, CVS also stopped selling CVS Health After Sun Aloe Vera and CVS Health After Sun Aloe Vera Spray, Mike DeAngelis, senior director of CVS Health's corporate communications, told CNN the company is "cooperating with Johnson & Johnson's voluntary recall.". Seventeen sun care products, including SPF products, bear the EWG VERIFIED mark, which indicates the products meet EWGs strictest criteria for transparency and health. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. The good news in this case, Dr. Bunick says, is that consumers have choices and there are sunscreen products available that dont have this chemical in them. An explanation of the ingredients in popularskinlotions and cosmeceuticals is also included. The substance has been detected in sunscreen sprays, lotions and gel-based products, with the highest levels found in spray or aerosol sunscreens from several different brands. Avoid SPF values above 50, which provide diminishing sun protection and can lead to exposure to overly high concentrations of sun-filtering chemicals. I'm quite a heavy user of sunscreen myself; I have five kids and we all use sunscreen, so it was rather concerning to find such high levels," Light said. Still, youre advised to immediately stop using the products, which include most Neutrogena spray sunscreens and one Aveeno product (Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen). The remaining 11 brands with sunscreens contaminated by lower levels of benzene continue to sell their products. CVS has stopped selling CVS Health After Sun Aloe Vera (a gel) and CVS Health After Sun Aloe Vera Spray. How did brand-name sunscreens become contaminated with benzene? Coppertone Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Specific Lots of Pure & Simple SPF50 Spray (2021 Launch), Sport Mineral SPF50 Spray (2021 Launch), & Travel-Size Coppertone Sport Spray SPF50 (1.6OZ) Aerosol Sunscreen Sprays Due to the Presence of Benzene https://t.co/G1bgFAAnTv pic.twitter.com/YgrlSO5XWk. Long-term exposure to inhaled benzene can cause leukemia. Benzene can be inhaled or swallowed or absorbed through the skin. It is a highly flammable chemical that is a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke and is used to make plastics, nylon, and synthetic products. Explore Best Recreational Sunscreens: Non-Mineral Options, Select Brand100% Pure365 Everyday Value365 Whole Foods Market3rd Rock SunblockAcureAdorable BabyAKT TherapyAlastin SkincareAlba BotanicaAlchimie ForeverAlgenistAll GoodAll TerrainAloe UpAmavaraAmbiAndalou NaturalsAnthonyAO SkincareApothecareAquaphorArbonneArtnaturalsAruba AloeAstiVitaATTITUDEAustralian GoldAvasolAveenoAwakeBabo BotanicalsBaby Bare RepublicBaby BumBabyganicsBadgerBanana BoatBare RepublicBaremineralsBaxter of CaliforniaBe Natural OrganicsBeauty 360BeautycounterBelli SkincareBeverly Hills MDbioClarityBioElementsBiossanceBlack Girl SunscreenBlissBlistexBlock Island OrganicsBlock OutBlue LizardBobbi BrownBondi SandsBoogie WipesBosciaBravo SierraBull FrogBurt's BeesButterbeanC'est MoiCalifornia BabyCalifornia KidsCare OneCaribbean SolCarmexCeltic ComplexionCeraVeCetaphilChapStickCity BeautyClarinsCle De Peau BeauteClearChoiceClearStem SkincareCleen BeautyCliniqueCocokindColoreScienceContext SkinCOOLACoppertoneCoral SafeCoral SunCoTZCoverGirlCremoCrunchiCVSCyberDERMDaylogicDERMA EDermalogicaDevita Natural Skin CareDG BodyDiscoDollar Shave ClubDove SkincareDr. The FDA said that depending on the level and degree of exposure, it could result in an increased risk of cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow, along with other blood disorders. Mineral sunscreens,which often contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, sit on the skins surface to deflect the suns rays. 11,000 registered sun care products on the market. But the agency does not require companies to test their products for contamination. The agencys inability to identify contaminated products and effectively convey product safety information underscore the need for the agency to take preemptive measures rather than rely on third parties and manufacturers to report contamination. hide caption. Could eating fish increase your risk of cancer? "People already have ambivalence about sunscreen, and this is just going to make that worse," Friedman said in an interview at the time. Download the Healthy Living App Today, The trouble with ingredients in sunscreens, Beware of benzene: Shining a light on sunscreen spray contamination, EWGs methodology for assessing sunscreens, ingredients banned and restricted for use in cosmetics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Cancer-causing benzene is widely found in aerosol sunscreens, Federal regulators dont require sunscreen contamination tests, Keep your family safe by using lotions instead of sprays. All rights reserved. Whats perhaps most troubling is that it is not an intended ingredient in any sunscreen product or production process, which leaves many wondering how it got in there and how they can protect themselves if there is no way to know how and when it was introduced. There is a risk that people take away the wrong message from these findings. EWGs sunscreen label decoder can also help consumers looking for safer sunscreens. First, it helps to know that sunscreens are either mineral- or chemical-based. Benzene in your eyes may cause general irritation and damage to your cornea," the ATSDR said. Environmental Working Group. Benzophenone is a suspected carcinogen, and we know that this chemical reaction causing the degradation of octocrylene is occurring in sunscreen over time, Dr. Bunick says. According to J&J, daily exposure to benzene in these sunscreen products "at the levels detected in internal testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences.
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