An independent testing lab has detected the chemical benzene, a known human carcinogen, in 78 sunscreen
The lab, Valisure, checks medications and health care products for quality. Recently, the company tested nearly 300 sunscreen products and found that 27% contained benzene, according to a statement from the company
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“The presence of this known human carcinogen in products widely recommended for the prevention of skin cancer
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Benzene is a colorless or light yellow liquid that forms naturally but is also produced by human activities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Exposure to high levels of benzene causes cancer in humans, particularly blood cancer, including leukemia according to the American Cancer Society
The FDA says that benzene should not be used in the manufacturing of drug products except in special circumstances, mainly if their use is unavoidable and the drug product makes a significant therapeutic advance. In these cases, benzene levels should be limited to 2 ppm “unless otherwise justified,” the FDA says FDA temporarily allowed detected benzene above this level later recalled
In light of its new findings of benzene in sunscreens, Valisure has petitioned the FDA
Although the FDA says benzene should not be used in the manufacturing of drugs, the agency does not define a specific limit for drugs like sunscreen (The FDA regulates sunscreen as an over-the-counter drug.). The 2 ppm limit applies only to the “special circumstances” outlined by the agency. So Valisure is also calling on the FDA to set a limit for benzene levels in sunscreen and other drug products in standard situations, and to set a limit for exposure in a single day.
Since benzene wasn’t detected in most of the sunscreens Valisure tested, the company says that the use of benzene in sunscreens is not “unavoidable,” and any detectable amount of the chemical shouldn’t be allowed.
“It is critical that regulatory agencies address benzene contamination in sunscreens … so that all individuals feel safe using sunscreen products,” Dr. Christopher Bunick, an associate professor of dermatology at Yale University, said in the statement.
In a statement provided to Live Science, the FDA said it is reviewing the petition. “The FDA takes seriously any safety concerns raised about products we regulate, including sunscreen. While the agency evaluates the submitted citizen petition, we will continue to monitor the sunscreen marketplace and manufacturing efforts to help ensure the availability of safe sunscreens for U.S. consumers,” the statement said. The agency added that it generally does not comment on pending petitions.
The findings do not mean that people should stop using sunscreen, which can help prevent skin cancer, Bunick said
“Many sunscreen products tested by Valisure did not have benzene contamination, and those products are presumably safe and should continue to be used, along with appropriate hats and sun-protective clothing, to mitigate skin cancer risk,” Bunick said.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include comments from the FDA.
Originally published on Live Science.
