FDA Citizen Petition #5: Benzene in Sunscreen Products
On May 25, 2021, Valisure announced our detection of high levels of benzene, a known human carcinogen, in several brands and batches of sunscreen, which are considered drug products by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as in after-sun care products, which FDA generally regulates as cosmetics.
Valisure analyzed 294 unique batches from 69 different companies. Even within a single company, significant variability from batch to batch was observed. Fourteen lots of sunscreen and after-sun care products from four other brands contained between 2.78 – 6.26 ppm of benzene; 26 lots from eight brands included detectable benzene between 0.11 – 1.99 ppm; and 38 lots from 17 brands contained detectable benzene at < 0.1 ppm. Benzene was not detected in an additional 217 batches of sunscreen from 66 different brands through initial analysis of at least one sample. Benzene contamination was detected in sprays, gels, and lotions with chemical and mineral-based formulations.
Media Highlights:
- Bloomberg: Sunscreen With Leukemia-Causing Benzene Is Latest Summer Worry
- CBS News: Carcinogen found in some popular sunscreens and after-sun products including Neutrogena, tests show
- Chemical & Engineering News: Lab finds benzene in 78 sunscreens and sun-care lotions
- Cosmetics Business: Human carcinogen benzene detected in sunscreens
- CNET: Lab asks FDA to recall 40 batches of sunscreen from Neutrogena, Banana Boat, and more
- Happi: Is There Benzene in Sunscreen?
- Health: Benzene, a Known Carcinogen, Was Found in 78 Batches of this Popular Sunscreen and After-Sun Products
- InStyle: Your Sunscreen Might Have a Carcinogen In It, According to a New Report
- MedPage Today: Bad Day Sunshine: Benzene Found in Many Sun Care Products
- PopSugar: Certain Sunscreens Were Contaminated With a Carcinogen — Here’s What You Need to Know
- Shape: The Carcinogen Benzene Was Found In 78 Popular Sunscreens
- The People’s Pharmacy: Should You Worry About Benzene in Some Sunscreens?
- USA Today: Dozens of popular sunscreens have been contaminated with benzene, a chemical that can cause cancer, report finds
Related Documents:
- Press Release - Valisure Detects Benzene in Sunscreen
- Full Citizen Petition – Contains lists of products where benzene was detected
- Attachment A – Contains a list of products where benzene was not detected
- Attachment B – Resolution from the American College of Cardiology regarding independent testing
- Summary Timeline of consumer product recalls due to benzene
