Further testing revealed that benzene levels increased significantly when the samples were incubated at 122°F. While some products showed inconsistent or reduced benzene levels over time, the potential risks associated with benzene exposure are concerning.
An independent laboratory has submitted a petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting the recall of a group of acne products that may contain high levels of benzene, a cancer-causing substance. The lab, called Valisure, has previously discovered cancer-causing substances in various common products, such as hand sanitizers and spray sunscreens.
Their research has led to recalls of sunscreen products in the past year. Benzene is classified as a carcinogen by many federal agencies and international organizations. Valisure conducted tests on 175 acne treatments and found that 94 products containing benzoyl peroxide also contained benzene, often exceeding the recommended limit.
Further testing revealed that benzene levels increased significantly when the samples were incubated at 122°F. While some products showed inconsistent or reduced benzene levels over time, the potential risks associated with benzene exposure are concerning.
In a recent petition, an independent lab has urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recall a range of acne products that may potentially contain dangerous levels of benzene, a cancer-causing substance. The lab discovered that benzoyl peroxide, a common ingredient in over-the-counter acne treatments, was responsible for the presence of this carcinogen.
This is not the first time the lab, Valisure, based in Connecticut, has uncovered harmful substances in everyday products. Their previous research led to recalls of hand sanitizers and spray sunscreens due to the presence of benzene. It is crucial to address this issue as benzene has been classified as a carcinogen by various federal agencies and international organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
Valisure, a reputable laboratory, has raised concerns about the formation of benzene at alarming levels from the degradation of benzoyl peroxide products. Chip Phillips, the CEO of Valisure, emphasized the importance of independent quality assurance, stating that the potential harm caused by benzene exposure cannot be overlooked.
While benzene has been found in other cosmetic treatments, Valisure President David Light highlighted that its presence in acne products is significantly different. Unlike other cases where benzene resulted from impurities and contaminated ingredients, in benzoyl peroxide products, benzene originates from the benzoyl peroxide itself.
In response, a spokesperson from Reckitt, the company behind these products, assured that the safety and quality of their products are their utmost priority. They collaborate closely with regulators worldwide to ensure that their products are safe and effective for their intended use.
The storage conditions listed on Clearasil products' packaging ensure the stability of their ingredients under all reasonable and foreseeable circumstances. Valisure's petition highlighted 66 acne treatments with high levels of benzene, including products from Walgreens, CVS, PanOxyl, Neutrogena, La Roche Posay, Clean & Clear, Clear Pore, Dr. Lin, and Acne Free. Prescription treatments were also tested.
Valisure's representative informed Newsweek that there is a chance that various products from the same brand were tested repeatedly, and not all the initial screening data was included in the petition.
After Valisure's statement, Estee Lauder's stock price fell by 3 percent, according to Reuters.
The FDA spokesperson mentioned that updates on benzene in drug products would be shared with the public when necessary. They also stated that the FDA typically refrains from commenting on ongoing petitions. If they do respond, it will be directly to the petitioner and posted on the public docket.
Valisure has once again raised concerns about benzene by submitting a citizen petition letter to the FDA. In 2022, they discovered benzene in dry shampoo products and called for recalls, while in 2021, benzene was detected in sunscreen by Valisure.
“This discovery of benzoyl peroxide’s fundamental instability and formation of benzene is substantially different than Valisure’s previous findings of benzene in sunscreens, hand sanitizers and other consumer products,” David Light, Valisure’s co-founder and president, said in a statement.
“The benzene we found in sunscreens and other consumer products were impurities that came from contaminated ingredients; however, the benzene in benzoyl peroxide products is coming from the benzoyl peroxide itself, sometimes at hundreds of times the conditional FDA limit,” he said. “This means the problem broadly affects benzoyl peroxide products, both prescription and over-the-counter, and necessitates urgent action.”
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