Parker Waichman LLP

Popular Antiperspirants Recalled Due to Cancer-Causing Chemical Benzene

According to an online news report posted on cnn.com, several popular aerosol spray antiperspirants have been recalled due to Benzene contamination. Benzene is a known cancer-causing substance, and the chemical was found in more than half of 108 batches of deodorant body sprays and antiperspirants from 30 different brands, according to a citizen’s petition filed […]

Popular antiperspirants recalled due to cancer-causing chemical benzene

Aerosol Spray Antiperspirant Recall

According to an online news report posted on cnn.com, several popular aerosol spray antiperspirants have been recalled due to Benzene contamination. Benzene is a known cancer-causing substance, and the chemical was found in more than half of 108 batches of deodorant body sprays and antiperspirants from 30 different brands, according to a citizen’s petition filed this month with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

According to the FDA, Benzene is not to be used in the manufacturing process for products or drug substances because Benzene is a Class One solvent with “unacceptable toxicity.” The FDA did permit the “temporary” use of Benzene in certain hand sanitizers during the coronavirus pandemic. The FDA set the upper limit to 2 parts per million.

The products affected** by the recall include the following Old Spice and Secret body sprays:

  • Old Spice Below Deck Powder Spray Unscented
  • Old Spice Below Deck Powder Spray Fresh Air
  • Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Invisible Spray Stronger Swagger
  • Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Invisible Spray Pure Sport Plus
  • Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Invisible Spray Stronger Swagger
  • Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Invisible Spray Ultimate Captain
  • Old Spice High Endurance A.P. Spray Pure Sport
  • Old Spice Pure Sport 2021 Gift Set
  • Secret Aerosol Powder Fresh Twin Pack
  • Secret Aerosol Powder Fresh
  • Secret Aerosol Powder Fresh
  • Secret Fresh Collection Invisible Spray Waterlily
  • Secret Fresh Collection Invisible Spray Lavender
  • Secret Fresh Collection Invisible Spray Light Essentials
  • Secret Fresh Collection Invisible Spray Rose
  • Secret Outlast Invisible Spray Completely Clean
  • Secret Outlast Invisible Spray Protecting Powder

**The recalled products must have an expiration date before September 2023.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the permissible level of Benzene is only five parts per billion (ppb). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also established a “goal of 0 ppb for Benzene in drinking water, and in water such as rivers and lakes because benzene can cause leukemia.”

Procter & Gamble issued a voluntary recall of 17 different types of Secret and Old Spice antiperspirants “out of an abundance of caution.” Several other brands of aerosol spray antiperspirants have not been recalled. These aerosol spray antiperspirant brands include Sure, Suave, Tag, Equate, Brut, and Right Guard. These products were found to have Benzene levels at or above two parts per million, according to David Light, CEO of Valisure. Valisure is an independent laboratory that tested the aerosol spray antiperspirants and filed a petition with the FDA to mandate a recall of the contaminated products.

Valisure states that it has tested several different brands of antiperspirants and deodorants, which have tested positive for Benzene. The following brands allegedly had Benzene levels up to two parts per million: Right Guard, Summer’s Eve, Soft & Dri, Power Stick, and Victoria’s Secret.

Unilever, the maker of Suave products, stated to CNN that the company takes all safety matters seriously and that the company is conducting an investigation into the Valisure assertions concerning its two Suave antiperspirant aerosols. CNN reported that no other companies gave a comment concerning the Benzene contamination before the publication of their article. However, the Personal Care Products Council, an industry association that speaks on behalf of more than 600 consumer product companies, issued a statement. The statement said, “Benzene is not an intentionally added ingredient in body spray products; however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as product manufacturers, are aware that it may be present in food and drug products at very low levels.”.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Benzene is created by both artificial and natural processes. The chemical is dangerous because it can trick the body’s cells into not functioning properly.

The National Cancer Institute states that Benzene exposure is very dangerous and can increase a person’s “risk of developing leukemia and other blood disorders.”

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that exposure to “high levels of Benzene in the air can cause death, and if you spill benzene on your skin, it may cause redness and sores.”

Chemical testing performed by Valisure found “concerning levels of Benzene” in several batches of P&G products. The brand that is the most contaminated with Benzene were two lots of an Old Spice “Pure Sport” antiperspirant, which contained 17.7 and 17.4 average parts per million of Benzene, according to Valisure. Mr. Light stated that this amount of Benzene contamination is “nearly nine times the upper limit of 2 parts per million the FDA has set for emergency use.”

CONTACT PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW

Did you or a loved one suffer harm from a defective product? Parker Waichman LLP helps those who have suffered injuries due to dangerous products receive full monetary compensation. Trust your case with our product liability lawsuit lawyers. For a free consultation, contact our law firm today by using our live chat or calling 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Michelle Josama helped me through a very difficult time. I would highly recommend her for your next attorney.
David Schilberger
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Quality , Responsiveness , Value Tina Morace is extremely reliable, responsive, knowledgeable, accessible and has excellent customer service skills! She is true professional and an asset to Parker Waichman LLP. I highly recommend Tina!
Laura Kelley
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Very good law firm Joanne Stevens great person to deal with and staying on top of asking and handling my injuries. Julie Trinidad as the paralegal as well always on top of case and quick response very good people
Steven Palmiotto
4 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038