HWN Suggests

Should we worry about benzene in personal care spray products?

Let’s start with the basics. Benzene is an established carcinogen. And what does that mean exactly? It means that there is enough evidence to prove that at some dose, under some condition, benzene is capable of causing cancer. This has been determined via several lines of evidence. Feeding benzene to test animals, or exposing them to benzene vapour, causes cancer. Also, workers occupationally exposed to inhaled benzene have been shown to have an increased risk of leukemia. Add to this knowledge about how benzene is metabolized, and how some of the metabolites such as benzoquinone and muconaldehydes can produce free radicals that alter DNA, and we have pretty conclusive evidence that it is…

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  Popular acne products from Proactiv, Clinique and Target contain cancer-linked chemical benzene

Hand sanitizers were tainted by benzene. Sunscreens and dry shampoos too. Now acne treatments are joining the list of widely used consumer products found to contain high levels of the chemical linked to cancer.

 Benzene is Even Worse Than We Thought: New Facts Backed by Science

Benzene infiltrates more of the beauty and cosmetics industry than almost any other toxin. After confirming its presence in sunscreens and hand sanitizers, researchers noted that over half of the 108 antiperspirants and deodorants it analyzed showed signs of benzene contamination. That’s practically the entire deodorant aisle at the supermarket!

 Everything You Need to Know About the Dry Shampoo Recall

To help shed some light on the dry shampoo recall and potential risks of the chemical involved, we asked toxicology experts all about benzene and what this means for consumers moving forward.

 The Science on Benzene Keeps Getting Scarier. Industry Remains in Denial

The more the chemical is studied, the worse it looks, with recent science tying even miniscule amounts to childhood leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other cancers. Industry, however, says benzene is harmful only in high doses and causes only a few specific malignancies.

Articles of Interest

What the f**k is up with Benzene?

Alright, let’s talk about Benzene. There’s been a lot of information and articles going around about the recent recall and we wanted to break down our stance and our practices. We want to be transparent and upfront with you as well as provide you with information that is as objective as possible. Here’s an overview of what you’ll learn.

Benzene Back by Jess K. '10

After much deliberating over whether it was more chemically and lyrically acceptable to say ‘get your H on’ or ‘get your benzene on’ (and a little editing on my part) Javi finally wrote his hit single and is now well on his way to fame and fortune. And by fame and fortune, I mean he won a t-shirt.

Benzene contamination in sunscreen: Not worth getting burned

Due to the media uptake of the recent findings of benzene in sunscreen products, members of the public may be concerned about the potential of carcinogenic chemicals in their sunscreen products. While this concern is justified, it should be presented in the context of the known health impact of solar radiation and the greater risk of skin cancer without sunscreen use.

Benzene: one family's long fight to prove link to leukemia in children

As Jarrett McElheney’s story shows, powerful petrochemical industrial interests have resisted every step towards recognition of a lethal problem.

Beware of benzene: Shining a light on sunscreen spray contamination

Many personal care products are contaminated with toxic chemicals that can harm public health, from asbestos in children’s makeup to the presence of the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in many cosmetics. Now certain aerosol sunscreens have been found to be widely contaminated by the cancer-causing chemical benzene, creating potential exposure risks for you and your family.

Cancer Alley

Today, the water in these communities is not safe to drink, the air is choked with foul smells, and the soil no longer yields healthy crops. One chemical which may have contributed to this great dying is benzene. Benzene prevents plants from completing the photosynthesis process. It chokes plant respiration by replacing the carbon dioxide that plants breathe. And animal studies show low birth weights and bone marrow damage in infants exposed to airborne benzene during pregnancy.

Carcinogenic chemical benzene found in hundreds of US personal care products

Independent lab found the chemical in more than a quarter of items it tested – sometimes at levels considered ‘life threatening’

Exposure to benzene: a major public health concern

Human exposure to benzene has been associated with a range of acute and long-term adverse health effects and diseases, including cancer and haematological effects. Exposure can occur occupationally, in the general environment and in the home as a result of the ubiquitous use of benzene-containing petroleum products, including motor fuels and solvents. Active and passive exposure to tobacco smoke is also a significant source of exposure. Benzene is highly volatile, and exposure occurs mostly through inhalation.

Gas Piped Into Homes Contains Benzene and Other Risky Chemicals, Study Finds

The concentrations of benzene that the researchers found in the natural gas samples were “much lower compared to the amount in gasoline,” Dr. Michanowicz said on Friday during a conference call with reporters. Even so, he said, the finding is concerning since “natural gas is used so widely in society and in our indoor spaces.”

It was the Rubber Capital of the World. The health consequences linger

The rubber industry, which began in Akron in the early 1870s, has exposed its workers and neighbors to an array of poisons. But two stand out: asbestos and benzene. The former is a fibrous mineral known for its fire resistance. The latter is a natural constituent of crude oil used as a solvent for decades. Both can do severe damage to the human body.

Researchers Find Benzene and Other Dangers in Gas Piped to California Homes

A new study estimated that each year California gas appliances and infrastructure leak the same amount of benzene as is emitted by nearly 60,000 cars.

Study finds combustion from gas stoves can raise indoor levels of chemical linked to a higher risk of blood cell cancers

About 47 million homes use natural gas or propane-burning cooktops and ovens. Stanford researchers found that cooking with gas stoves can raise indoor levels of the carcinogen benzene above those found in secondhand smoke.

Wait, How the Hell Does This Molecule Exist in 126 Dimensions?!

Benzene is a building block molecule found all over the galaxy, with a simple atomic structure, but a complex electronic one.

What Is Benzene and How Toxic Is It?

Even though benzene occurs naturally, and is commonly formed during natural processes such as volcanic activity and forest fires, it is still harmful to health. And since humans discovered the many uses of benzene, production levels have skyrocketed.

What You Need to Know About Benzene

Benzene is a colorless, airborne chemical that is highly flammable. It can come from natural sources, like volcanoes and forest fires, and is inherent in gasoline, cigarette smoke and crude oil. Benzene can also be man-made for use in industrials and manufacturing.

Resources

12 things you should know about benzene

From a long term (chronic) health perspective, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classify benzene as a group one carcinogen.

CDC

Benzene is formed from both natural processes and human activities. Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. Benzene is widely used in the United States. It ranks in the top 20 chemicals for production volume.