Your Sunscreen Might Spray Benzene on You
Back in July 2022, Edgewell Personal Care announced a voluntary recall of one of its Banana Boat sunscreens after an internal review found that three batches of the product contained traces of benzene. The company has now expanded the recall to include another batch of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen after again finding a carcinogenic chemical in the product.
The sunscreen does not contain benzene as an ingredient, but the company’s review found that “the unexpected level of benzene was due to the propellant that sprays the product from the can,” according to a report by the Food and Drug Administration.
Which bottles of sunscreen contain benzene?
As a result of the latest recall, the number of affected parties has increased to four. The full name of the product is “Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30” and it is sold in six ounce aerosol cans distributed nationwide in many retail stores and online. Here is the product image . The UPC code for all recalled products is 0-79656-04041-8, with one of the following batch codes and expiration dates printed on the bottom of the can:
- 20016AF; December 2022
- 20084BF; February 2023
- 21139AF; April 2024
- 20301CF; September 2023
What are the effects of benzene?
Benzene is a human carcinogen. You can be exposed to it through inhalation, orally, and through the skin. Benzene can also be found in the environment and people are exposed to it on a daily basis from a variety of sources.
The recall states that an independent study found that daily exposure to benzene from the recalled products “should not cause adverse health effects.” The company has not been notified of any “side effects” related to the recalled products.
What to do with the recalled Banana Boat sunscreen?
The Company will fully reimburse the costs of consumers who have purchased goods with the above lot codes. The FDA is warning consumers to immediately stop using aerosol cans and throw them away.
If you have questions, you can contact Edgewell Personal Care at 1-888-686-3988 Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm EST or visit their website .
If you have an adverse reaction to a product, the FDA recommends that you report it to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program via the Internet , by mail, or by fax . If you have questions about benzene exposure, the FDA recommends that you contact your doctor or health care provider.
Is it safe to use sunscreen?
It is important to note that despite these recent, potentially disturbing reviews, sunscreen is still commonly recommended to reduce the risk of skin cancer and other sun damage . This is not a sunscreen issue, but a product contamination issue.