Valisure, an independent pharmaceutical testing company, in test results found that some batches of antiperspirant and deodorant sprays from brands like Old Spice, Secret, Suave, Equate, Tag, Sure, Brut, and Right Guard contain dangerous levels of benzene, a carcinogen.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long-term benzene exposure can result in immune system, bone marrow, and blood disorders, including cancer in the blood.
Valisure has urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to recall 38 batches of body sprays in a citizen petition. The company has also requested that the FDA offer recommendations for benzene in aerosol body spray products, evaluate current guidance for body spray products, and respond to other similar requests.
Valisure said a total of 138 batches of items from 30 different brands were tested for benzene, with 54 percent of the batches containing some of the chemical. The most benzene was found in a batch of Old Spice's Pure Sport antiperspirant, which had 17.7 parts per million.
Table 2 of Valisure's petition to the FDA lists the brands of antiperspirants and deodorants that were discovered to have 2 parts per million or more of benzene. Table 3 lists antiperspirants and deodorants with benzene levels ranging from 0.1 to 2 parts per million. The majority of the items on the list are for underarm use, but a few are advertised as body sprays or vaginal sprays.
Valisure tested sunscreen from brands such as Neutrogena in May and discovered that some batches also contained dangerous levels of benzene. In response, Johnson & Johnson said on July 14 that it was voluntarily recalling some Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol spray sunscreens "out of an abundance of caution."
If you find your own deodorant or antiperspirant on the list, look at the lot number to determine if it was tested and if it is contaminated. Valisure has asked the FDA to recall the items stated in tables 2 and 3, but the agency has not yet listed any company recalls.
Customers are often instructed to dispose of contaminated items when a company recalls a product. You may need to verify your local requirements for disposal information on aerosol cans.
