Benzene in sunscreen list 202112/14/2023 ![]() ![]() What is benzene?īenzene is an organic chemical compound that is a colourless, flammable liquid at room temperature. This blog will describe the health effects of benzene exposure, discuss the current findings of benzene contamination in sunscreen products, and present opportunities for public health messaging around sunscreen use in the context of the potential risk of benzene exposure. The results of this analysis had significant media uptake, leading to concern and misunderstanding among members of the public. Recently, independent laboratory testing of some sunscreen products identified the presence of benzene, a human carcinogen. Sunscreen, in conjunction with other sun safety practices, provides a significant public health benefit. Sunscreen is particularly beneficial when other methods of sun protection, such as clothing or shade, are not practicable, such as during outdoor recreation or outdoor work. Sunscreen is an effective method of protection against skin damage from solar radiation and has been shown to reduce the development of skin cancer. Skin cancer is also a growing concern in the face of climate change, which is believed to be contributing to increased incidence of skin cancers around the world due to ozone depletion and increased global temperatures. ![]() It can also be deadly if not detected early, especially in the case of melanoma, which causes over 900 deaths in Canada each year. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canada, with over 80,000 Canadians diagnosed each year. Approximately 80-90% of skin cancers are believed to be attributable to skin damage from solar radiation. Sal Iaquinta is the author of “The Year They Tried To Kill Me.” He takes you on the Highway to Health every fourth Monday.Unprotected exposure to solar radiation is a major cause of skin cancer. ![]() Lastly, a sliver lining in these crazy times - if you wear a triple-weave face mask for COVID protection, you are also protecting your face from UV.ĭr. Table four of the source paper on sunscreen benzene contamination shows a long list of sunscreens that did not have detectable benzene in them. Sun protection is just as important as ever and there are still plenty of options to keep yourself protected short of moving into a cave. The fabrics can be made protective by having higher thread counts, tighter weaves, dark or bright colors, loose fit and sometimes additives to the fabric. For example, a typical cotton T-shirt has an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 7, whereas many sun-protective clothes have a UPF of 50. It isn’t an alternative, but an additive to sunscreen. Lastly, the rise of ultraviolet protection clothing has given outdoorsy people another option in skin protection. In other words, low-level benzene exposure is all around us. The major exposures to the general public include tobacco smoke, car exhaust and industrial emissions. It is created as part to the synthesis of rubbers, lubricants, pesticides, dyes and even medications. There will always be some benzene around as it occurs naturally wildfires and volcano eruptions produce it. However, benzene is neither banned nor eradicated, but rather its exposure is controlled. This is why trace amounts in a sunscreen cause a stir. Multiple organizations have declared the safe level of benzene is zero. Benzene is readily absorbed by the body through skin, inhalation or absorbed from contaminated water. Along the way, it was discovered to be a potent carcinogen and then removed from most consumer products.īenzene damages the cells made by our bone marrow and can cause leukemia. It made its way into after shave and then paint strippers. It was used in perfume for centuries, as it is aromatic and sweet smelling. It exists naturally in crude oil and it is highly flammable.īenzene has an interesting history. But now that many sprays are found to have benzene in them, some of us will have to change our sun protection routine.įor those of you with nostalgia for high school chemistry, benzene is a simple organic molecule consisting of a ring of six carbon atoms with a hydrogen atom attached to each carbon. Once sprayed on, it still needed to be rubbed into the skin. Prior to this declaration, I had reservations about spray sunscreen the effects of inhaling them were unknown and most users didn’t use them properly. This past week, the FDA recommended people throw away their Neutrogena and Aveeno spray sunscreens because they were found to have low levels of benzene in them. ![]()
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