Chemical benzene, a potential carcinogenic, has been found in 78 sunscreen products, according to independent testing by Valisure.
Valisure is a Connecticut-based company that independently checks the chemical composition of medications and medical products before they reach consumers.
The company has now called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recall the products, according to Live Science.
Valisure tested roughly 300 sunscreen products and found that 78 of them contained benzene.
David Light, Valisure founder and CEO, said in a statement, “The presence of this known human carcinogen in products widely recommended for the prevention of skin cancer and that are regularly used by adults and children is very troubling.”
Benzene exposure could cause cancer in humans, particularly leukemia – a type of blood cancer.
The FDA says that drug manufacturers should not use benzene in their products, except in special circumstances, mainly if their use is unavoidable and the drug product makes a significant therapeutic advance, according to Live Science.
Considering these new findings, Valisure has petitioned the FDA to recall the products. It has also urged the agency to conduct its own investigation into the manufacturing of these sunscreen products.
The FDA says benzene must be used in the manufacturing of drugs, but it does not define a specific limit for products such as sunscreen because they are considered over-the-counter products.
Benzene was not found in most of the sunscreens tested by Valisure so it said that the use of benzene in sunscreens is not “unavoidable.” It also said that a detectable amount of the chemical in sunscreens should not be allowed.
Dermatologist Dr. Christopher Bunick of Yale University said in a statement, “It is critical that regulatory agencies address benzene contamination in sunscreens so that all individuals feel safe using sunscreen products.”
The FDA told Live Science that it is reviewing the petition, stating, “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.”
Dr. Bunick said the Valisure findings do not mean that people should stop using sunscreen, as it helps prevent skin cancer.
He 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.” The article was published on Live Science.
