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Sunscreen is a popular way to block the ultraviolet radiation associated with skin damage and protect against cancer. But the evidence is emerging that certain types of sunscreen contain benzene, a toxic chemical that’s a known human carcinogen.
Dozens of sunscreen products recently tested positive for benzene—a chemical also found in gasoline and paint thinners—leading to demands for product recalls and questions about the safety of sunscreen chemicals. These new findings suggest that people who use sunscreen in an effort to avoid skin cancer may actually be increasing their risk of developing other types of cancers. Studies show that consistent exposure to benzene, even at very low levels, is a major risk factor for blood tissue cancers such as leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma.
If you used a sunscreen containing benzene, and have been diagnosed with cancer, you may be able to file a sunscreen cancer lawsuit. Contact a Long Island sunscreen lawyer to find out if you qualify.
Laboratory testing performed by Valisure found that dozens of sunscreen and after-sun care products contain the industrial chemical benzene.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) both classify benzene as “carcinogenic to humans.” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates sunscreens and considered them drugs, also classifies benzene as a “Class 1 solvent” that should not be used in the manufacture of drug substances and drug products.
Sunscreen that contains the chemical benzene could cause cancer. Although no specific studies have been performed on benzene sunscreens and cancer, samples of popular sunscreen brands tested by Valisure detected benzene. Valisure cites Dr. Christopher Bunick, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Yale University, who says that, “There is not a safe level of benzene that can exist in sunscreen products.”
When sunscreen containing benzene is applied to the skin, the body absorbs it and the chemical enters the bloodstream, where it can cause cancer. IARC notes that benzene exposure is linked to acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Valisure’s research indicates that many popular sunscreen brands contain benzene. These brands include:
Valisure analyzed nearly 300 unique batches from dozens of sunscreen brands and detected benzene in 78 product batches, including 26 products with benzene levels between 0.1 parts per million (ppm) and 2 ppm, and 14 products with benzene levels over 2 ppm. “Even benzene at 0.1 ppm in a sunscreen could expose people to excessively high nanogram amounts of benzene,” Dr. Christopher Bunick told Valisure.
Multiple types of Neutrogena sunscreen were found by Valisure to contain benzene. Specific Neutrogena products in which benzene was detected include:
Johnson & Johnson, the company that owns Neutrogena, issued a voluntary recall of some Neutrogena sunscreen products in response to Valisure testing results. J&J said that benzene is not an ingredient in any of its sunscreen products and that the recall is being done out of “an abundance of caution.”
Unfortunately, many individuals have developed Parkinson’s disease as a result of paraquat exposure, including those who live near agricultural areas where the harmful chemical is used. The widespread use of the substance makes it especially unsettling, as many farmers heavily rely on paraquat without understanding its destructive effects. If you or a loved one were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease due to pesticide exposure, [Insert law firm name] can help you secure the compensation you may be entitled to.
Syngenta knew the risk of their product yet failed to disclose it to the public, which allowed thousands of agricultural workers to be exposed without any knowledge of the harmful side effects. Those who suffer from Parkinson’s require consistent treatment to increase their quality of life, which is a significant expense to endure without proper compensation. However, by holding Syngenta responsible for their negligence, you can recover the medical costs, lost wages, and suffering damages warranted by your situation.
Plaintiffs across the country have filed lawsuits claiming that they were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and that Syngenta’s herbicide Paraquat, is to blame. If you suffer from Parkinson’s after exposure to Paraquat as a farmer or licensed pesticide applicator, you may be able to file a lawsuit. A successful lawsuit can provide compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses or hardships.
While Roundup does contain dangerous chemicals, it doesn’t contain paraquat. Crop resistance has lessened the effectiveness of Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, which has led to the widespread use of paraquat in the agricultural industry.
Sunscreen is supposed to prevent skin cancer—not cause it. Serious questions remain about how benzene ended up in these products and what the manufacturers knew, or should have known, about cancer-causing ingredients in sunscreen. What’s certain is that a known human carcinogen has no place in any product, never mind one that is intended to be applied every day, for a lifetime.
Did you use a sunscreen that, unbeknownst to you or your doctor, contains benzene? Have you been diagnosed with cancer? Our Long Island sunscreen cancer lawyers are ready to review your claim and let you know how we can help. Contact us today at 516-394-4200.
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