Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (also called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma)Ĭancer and other chronic illnesses can lead to substantial medical bills, loss of income, and other expenses, not to mention the pain and suffering endured by patients and their families.Dysplasia of the bone marrow (also known as myelodysplastic syndromes).Conditions associated with long-term exposure to benzene include: You may be able to bring a claim against the manufacturer of a contaminated sunscreen if you or a loved one suffers adverse health effects connected to benzene exposure. Can I Sue If My Sunscreen Contains Benzene? Mineral sunscreens are not absorbed into the skin, preventing the risk of potentially harmful exposure. A dermatologist at Yale Medicine suggests that consumers who are concerned about benzene and other chemicals in sunscreen should opt for a mineral sunblock. You should still protect yourself from the sun. If the information matches a manufacturer recall or is listed among the products that contain benzene, you should stop using the sunscreen immediately. If you are concerned about benzene in your sunscreen, check the brand name, product code, lot number, and expiration date on the packaging. Given the risks presented by benzene, the concern among consumers is understandable. Nonetheless, the lab results encompass 78 different sunscreen lotions and sprays, as well as skincare products for sun exposure. Only 27% of the tested products contained trace amounts of benzene, while benzene was undetectable in other product batches. Long-term, it decreases the risk of skin cancer.Īll told, the risk of benzene exposure via sunscreen products is fairly low. Short-term, this reduces your risk for painful sunburns. Regularly applying sunscreen is essential for protecting the skin from ultraviolet light. The important thing is to stop using sunscreens that may be contaminated, not to stop using sunscreens altogether. Is Sunscreen Safe?ĭoctors and other health experts have gone to great lengths to reassure the public that not all sunscreens put consumers at risk for exposure to benzene. However, repeat exposure to the skin – such as by applying a sunscreen containing benzene – increases the presence of toxic chemicals that can make you sick and cause cancer. Skin absorption tends to be a less common risk factor for exposure to benzene than inhalation or ingestion. This can result in anemia (inadequate production of healthy red blood cells), decreased immune response, and elevated risk for certain cancers. When it enters the bloodstream, benzene molecules can damage the body’s bone marrow. However, the bigger concern with sunscreens containing benzene is absorption of the chemical through the skin.īenzene is a toxic substance. Based on these findings, Valisure concluded that “any significant detection of benzene should be deemed unacceptable.” Is Benzene Bad for Skin?Įxposure to small amounts of benzene can result in irritation and inflammation of the skin. No “significant therapeutic advance” is associated with the sunscreens containing benzene. Other sunscreens tested, meanwhile, showed no traces of benzene. The FDA limits benzene concentration to 2 parts per million (ppm) in drug products where use of the chemical is unavoidable to create a product “with a significant therapeutic advance.” According to laboratory testing by Valisure – the company that detected elevated levels of benzene in sunscreen – over one-quarter of the sunscreen products tested contained triple the level of benzene concentration considered safe. Rather, the current risk appears to be posed by contamination during manufacturing. How Much Benzene Is in Sunscreen?īenzene is not an ingredient in sunscreen. The product liability lawyers at the Whitley Law Firm can inspect the sunscreen for contaminants and determine if you have a case. Third, contrary to recall instructions, you should keep the product in your possession but put it in a safe place where no one can access it.įinally, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. Second, you should stop using the affected product and turn to a safer alternative. The first step is to find out which sunscreens may be dangerous. If your sunscreen is recalled or is known to contain unsafe levels of benzene, what should you do? Manufacturers such as Coppertone and Johnson & Johnson have issued voluntary recalls on a number of sunscreen products due to concerns about benzene. Benzene is a known carcinogen linked to multiple types of leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and other health issues. Earlier this year, testing on a number of popular sunscreen products revealed the presence of benzene.
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