
Conduct an investigation regarding the manufacturing of these products and the manufacturer submissions to the FDA.Recall the 78 sunscreens the company identified as containing benzene because they are contaminated with a known carcinogen.Valisure is primarily requesting that the FDA:
#Benzene in sunscreen side effects skin#
Benzene can cause the very danger, skin cancer, that people who are using sunscreen products are trying to avoid. Valisure states that the use of benzene in sunscreen products is especially troublesome because adults and children use these products primarily to help reduce the possibility of skin cancer from sun exposure. The FDA also recognizes that benzene is a dangerous solvent that generally shouldn’t be used to manufacture drug substances and drug products except in limited amounts (2 ppm) to reduce potential toxicity.The WHO classifies benzene as a Group 1 compound, “thereby defining it as ‘carcinogenic to humans.’”.The CDC has linked benzene to cancer in humans.

The lab detected high levels of benzene in products containing avobenzone, oxybenzone, octisalate, octinoxate, homosalate, octocylene and zinc oxide.The request for the change of an OTC drug’s monograph should be based on scientifically accepted information. A monograph is essentially a detailed analysis of a drug that explains its uses, design, doses, side effects, and other pharmaceutical factors. Valisure, which is based in Rockville, Maryland, requested in its Citizens Petition that the FDA issue a regulation, request recalls, revise industry guidance, and take such other actions as identified in its petition.Īccording to the FDA, the Citizens Petition can be used to request the FDA to amend an over-the-counter (OTC) drug monograph at any phase of its development and after publication of a final monograph.
#Benzene in sunscreen side effects full#
The FDA doesn’t recommend that any products have more than 2ppm of benzene, because “high levels of benzene can cause cancer, particularly blood cancer, including leukemia.” The full list of sunscreen products that Valisure is asking the FDA to recall can be seen here. Fourteen of the 300 products contain high levels: more than 2 parts per million (ppm). The request comes from the independent laboratory, Valisure, which analyzes medications and products for quality.įox4KC states that Valisure tested 300 sunscreen products and found that more than 25% - or 78 of these 300 products - contain benzene. Even lower temperatures can cause sunburns and sun damage when the sky is clear and the sun is shining brightly.Īccording to Fox4KC, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is being asked to recall more than 70 sunscreen products that have a chemical, benzene, that can cause cancer. The temperatures in Atlanta, Savannah and across Georgia will likely reach the high 90s during many days.
