- Johnson & Johnson has voluntarily recalled several spray sunscreens over concerns they’ve been contaminated with the cancer-causing chemical benzene.
- Medical experts say benzene can be absorbed through the skin, and at very high levels, may contribute to the development of certain cancers such as leukemia.
- Though the recalled sunscreens contain very low levels of benzene, some dermatologists are concerned that over time, chronic use of these products could pose serious health risks.
Several spray sunscreens made by Neutrogena and Aveeno were
can be absorbed through the skin, and at very high levels, may contribute to the development of certain cancers such as leukemia.
The sunscreens included very low levels of benzene, but some dermatologists are concerned that over time, chronic use of these sunscreens and after-sun care products could pose serious health risks.
Johnson & Johnson is advising consumers to stop using contaminated products.
According to Dr. Christopher Bunick, a Yale Medicine dermatologist and associate professor at Yale School of Medicine, hopes Johnson & Johnson’s recall will encourage other companies to improve their product quality control and produce safer sunscreens.
“It means that one of the largest healthcare product suppliers in the world is making changes to better serve and protect the sunscreen users,” Bunick told Healthline.
Source: healthline