Parabens: A Cancer-Causing And DNA-Damaging Preservative Used In The Food And Cosmetic Industries

Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives by cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Parabens Are A Cancer-Causing And DNA-Damaging Preservative Used In The Food And Cosmetic Industries

Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. These compounds, and their salts, are used primarily for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties. They can be found in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, topical/parenteral pharmaceuticals, spray tanning solution, makeup, and toothpaste.

They are also used as food additives. Parabens: A Cancer-Causing And DNA-Damaging Preservative Used In The Food And Cosmetic Industries

Parabens have been widely used in products to prevent bacteria growth since the 1950s. “About 85 percent of cosmetics have them,” says Arthur Rich, Ph.D., a cosmetic chemist in Chestnut Ridge, New York. “They’re inexpensive.”

Does Your Baby’s Food Contain Toxic Metals? Here’s What Our Investigation Found

Lead And Cadmium Could Be In Your Dark Chocolate

Which Lipsticks Contain The Most Lead, Cadmium, Aluminum And Other Heavy Metals?

Poll: What Are You (Men/Women) Doing To Avoid The Toxins/Poisons In Commercial Beauty Products?

Secrets of ‘UltraGeezer,’ Earth’s Fastest 70-Year-Old Distance Runner

The Best Exercises For Your 50s, 60s, 70s—And Beyond

She’s Powerlifting at 76, So You’re Officially Out of Excuses

This Training Tweak Keeps Him Running At 70

33 Resistance Band Exercises You Can Do Literally Anywhere

Fighting Cancer By Releasing The Brakes On The Immune System

Over-Diagnosis And Over-Treatment Of Cancer In America Reaches Crisis Levels

Cancer Super-Survivors Use Their Own Bodies To Fight The Disease

FDA Says Up To Two Million People Exposed To Likely Carcinogens In Blood-Pressure Drugs

Carolyn’s Natural Organic Handmade Soap

Why Interior Designers And Home Stagers Prefer Bar Soap Over Liquid

We Now Live In A World With Customized Bar Soaps, Lotions And Shampoos

Their efficacy as preservatives, in combination with their low cost, probably explains why parabens are so commonplace. They are becoming increasingly controversial, however, because they have been found in breast cancer tumors.

Parabens have also displayed the ability to slightly mimic estrogen (a hormone known to play a role in the development of breast cancer). No effective direct links between parabens and cancer have been established, however. Another concern is that the estrogen-mimic aspect of parabens may be a factor in the increasing prevalence of early puberty in girls.

Typically, more than one form of the ingredient is used in a product. The most common are butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben. Over the last few years, however, in response to customer concerns, many brands have started to manufacture (and label) paraben-free products, including lotions, lipsticks, shampoos, scrubs, and more.

Parabens are esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, from which the name is derived. Common parabens include methylparaben (E number E218), ethylparaben (E214), propylparaben (E216), butylparaben and heptylparaben (E209). Less common parabens include isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben and their sodium salts.

Synthetically Produced

All commercially used parabens are synthetically produced, although some are identical to those found in nature. They are produced by the esterification of para-hydroxybenzoic acid with the appropriate alcohol, such as methanol, ethanol, or n-propanol. para-Hydroxybenzoic acid is in turn produced industrially from a modification of the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction, using potassium phenoxide and carbon dioxide.

So What’s The Problem?

In the 1990s, parabens were deemed xenoestrogens―agents that mimic estrogen in the body. “Estrogen disruption” has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues. And in 2004 British cancer researcher Philippa Darbre, Ph.D., found parabens present in malignant breast tumors.

As a result, experts in many countries are recommending limits on paraben levels in cosmetic and food products. What’s more, watchdog organizations worry that if parabens can be stored in the body, over time they could have a cumulative effect and pose a health risk.

Allergic Reactions

Parabens can cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis and rosacea in individuals with paraben allergies.

There’s reason to be mindful, but no reason to have an all-consuming concern about these chemicals. If it helps you rest easy, use a paraben-free body lotion (which coats a large area of skin). Today there are a number of formulas available from paraben-free brands (see below).

Breast Cancer

High levels of parabens have been detected in breast tumors. These findings, along with the demonstrated ability of some parabens to partially mimic estrogen, a hormone known to play a role in the development of breast cancers, have led some scientists to conclude that the presence of parabens may be associated with the occurrence of breast cancer, and to call for investigation into whether or not a causal link exists.

The lead researcher of the UK study, molecular biologist Philippa Darbre, reported that the ester-bearing form of the parabens found in the tumors indicate that they came from something applied to the skin, such as an underarm deodorant, cream or body spray, and stated that the results helped to explain why up to 60% of all breast tumors are found in just one-fifth of the breast – the upper-outer quadrant, nearest the underarm.

“From this research it is not possible to say whether parabens actually caused these tumors, but they may certainly be associated with the overall rise in breast cancer cases. Given that breast cancer is a large killer of women and a very high percentage of young women use underarm deodorants, I think we should be carrying out properly funded, further investigations into parabens and where they are found in the body,” says Philip Harvey, an editor of the Journal of Applied Toxicology, which published the research.

A 2004 study at Northwestern University found that an earlier age of breast cancer diagnosis related to more frequent use of antiperspirants/deodorants and underarm shaving.

“I personally feel there is a very strong correlation between the underarm hygiene habits and breast cancer,” said immunologist Dr. Kris McGrath, the author of the study.

This research has fueled a popular belief that the parabens in underarm deodorants and other cosmetics can migrate into breast tissue and contribute to the development of tumors.

If you want to play it extremely safe, use a few oil-based organic products that don’t contain water (which calls for a preservative).

They often come in dark containers with a pump so that light and air don’t degrade them quickly. “With truly natural products, just stay within their use-by date,” says Kane. “It’s like milk―the date is there for a reason.”

Medicinal Herb Ginger Helps Protect Against The Effect of Chemical Parabens

Traditional healers often use ginger to treat ailments ranging from nausea to arthritis pain. Recent studies highlight another use for ginger, the amelioration of the impact of parabens, a chemical widely used in the food and beverage industry and as a preservative in personal care products, drugs, and cosmetics.

Parabens have been in the news recently thanks to studies which show the vast majority of Americans show signs of exposure. If ginger does indeed reduce parabens’ impact that gives it increased importance as a significant natural health therapy.

Studies Show Parabens Are Widespread In The Human Population

Parabens role as a pseudo or xenoestrogen means they may be implicated in a number of health conditions such as the early onset of puberty and hormonally related illnesses such as breast and colon cancer. Parabens have also been linked to oxidative degradation of fats and reduced levels of anti-oxidants in the livers of mice.

How common are parabens? In a 2010 study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, scientists evaluated over 2,500 urine samples from Americans over the age of six and found exposure to methyl parabens in over 99% of the sample and to propyl parabens in over 92%.

Of special interest is their evaluation of the sample by age and sex which found adolescent and adult females had significantly higher concentration of methyl and propyl parabens than did any males. The authors attribute this to the fact that women and girls use many more personal care products than do males at any age.

These results also suggests the importance of considering the cumulative impact of parabens. Manufacturers may be correct in claiming that the amount in any one product does not pose a health risk, however since most women use multiple products, their cumulative impact can be significant.

Parabens May Be Linked To Breast Cancer

Studies of biopsy tissue from women with breast cancer have found measurable levels of parabens which are associated with the growth of cancer cells in test tubes.

An article published in January of 2012 in the Journal of Applied Toxicology measured parabens found in breast tissue from 40 women who had undergone a mastectomy. Measurements were taken at four locations across the breast. One or more parabens were found in 99% of the samples and five different parabens were found in 60% of the samples.

The study results also showed that the highest concentrations of parabens were found in the underarm area and entered the body through the skin.

Ginger Can Help Ameliorate The Impact of Parabens

In a 2009 animal study reported in the journal Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica-Drug Research, scientists in India orally administered parabens to mice. The result was increased oxidative degradation of fats and decreased levels of anti-oxidants in the livers of of the treated mice compared to the controls.

Another group was given both parabens and ginger. In this group there was a significant decrease in paraben induced liver damage along with an increase in anti-oxidant levels. The scientists concluded that ginger can significantly reduce paraben induced liver damage.

In a 2006 study in the same journal human red blood cells were treated with parabens in a test tube. The result was a significant increase in the rate of hemolysis, or breakdown of the cells. When ginger was introduced to the samples along with parabens the result was a significant decrease in the rate of breakdown.

Paraben-Free Brands:

Aveda (aveda.com)

Burt’s Bees (burtsbees.com)

Dr. Hauschka (drhauschka.com)

John Masters Organics (johnmasters.com)

Josie Maran Cosmetics (josiemarancosmetics.com)

Korres (korresusa.com)

Origins (origins.com)

Pangea Organics (pangeaorganics.com)

Sun Exposure

Studies indicate that methylparaben applied on the skin may react with UVB leading to increased skin aging and DNA damage.

The Dangers of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

This section will focus on a compound called sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (SLS/SLES), a very common chemical used throughout the cosmetic industry.

A great deal of misinformation, myth, and rumor surround SLS/SLES, and I would like to discuss what is really known about this chemical and its potential risk to you.

What You Put ON Your Skin Can Be More Dangerous Than What You Eat

Putting chemicals on your skin or scalp, such as getting a hair dye, may actually be worse than eating them. When you eat something, the enzymes in your saliva and stomach help to break it down and flush it out of your body.

However, when you put these chemicals on your skin, they are absorbed straight into your bloodstream without filtering of any kind, going directly to your delicate organs.

Once these chemicals find their way into your body, they tend to accumulate over time because you typically lack the necessary enzymes to break them down.

There are literally thousands of chemicals used in personal care products, and the U. S. government does not require any mandatory testing for these products before they are sold.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) estimates that one out of five cosmetics might be contaminated with a cancer-causing agent. This nonprofit public-interest research group is known for making connections between chemical exposure and adverse health conditions.

The United Nations Environmental Programme estimates that approximately 70,000 chemicals are in common use across the world, with 1,000 new chemicals being introduced every year. Of all the chemicals used in cosmetics, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health reported that nearly 900 are toxic, and that estimate might be low.3

Many of the same poisons that pollute your environment are also lurking in the jars and bottles that line your bathroom shelves. We all risk becoming a toxic waste dump from the products we use, the foods we eat, and the environment in which we live.

Why Worry About Your Skin?

Your skin is much more than a wrap to keep you from sliding down into a puddle of formless bio-goo. It is your body’s largest organ.

You might not be aware of the many protective functions your skin serves. Consider that your skin:

1. Protects Your Internal Organs From Injury And Infection And Is Your Primary And Most Important Defense Against Infections.

2. Helps Eliminate Wastes Through Perspiration.

3. Assists Your Immune System By Providing A Protective Barrier To Viruses And Bad Bacteria, Thus Preventing Infections.

4. Provides A Friendly Habitat For Good Bacteria.

5. Helps Maintain Body Temperature By Controlling Heat Flow Between You And Your Environment.

6. Seals In Moisture, Maintaining Your Body’s Delicate Fluid Balance.

7. Produces Vitamin D, Which Is Crucial For Your Health.

8. Sends Sensory Feedback To Your Brain Because It Is Rich In Receptors, Such As Hard/Soft And Hot/Cold, So That You Can React To Dangerous Conditions Around You.

Your skin is vital to your health, yet many people fail to take care of it. Because your skin has the ability to absorb much of what you put on it, informed choices are critical to optimize your health.

You should give your skin the same thoughtful care you give your diet, because much of what goes ON you ends up going IN you.

Choose Your ‘Natural’ Cosmetics Carefully

There are no federal regulations for beauty products; anyone can claim their product is “natural” or “organic.” A label with the word “natural” does not mean the product contains only natural or organic ingredients.

According to the Organic Consumers Association, whose current “Coming Clean Campaign” aims to clean up the organic personal care product industry, the word “organic” is not properly regulated with personal care products as it is with food products, unless the product is certified by the USDA National Organic Program.4

In fact, some “organic” beauty products contain only a single-digit percentage of organic ingredients. Some brands use ingredients that were simply derived from natural sources but are highly processed and contain synthetic and petrochemical compounds.

When it comes to the labeling of cosmetics and body care products, it’s kind of a free-for-all.

In an OCA report released on March 14, 2008, at least one toxic, cancer-linked chemical was found in over 40 percent of products that call themselves “natural.”

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Ammonium Laurel Sulfate (ALS)

Sodium lauryl sulfate is a surfactant, detergent, and emulsifier used in thousands of cosmetic products, as well as in industrial cleaners. It is present in nearly all shampoos, scalp treatments, hair color and bleaching agents, toothpastes, body washes and cleansers, make-up foundations, liquid hand soaps, laundry detergents, and bath oils/bath salts.

Although SLS Originates From Coconuts, The Chemical Is Anything But Natural.

The real problem with SLES/SLS is that the manufacturing process (ethoxylation) results in SLES/SLS being contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, a carcinogenic by-product, which will be discussed in more detail later.

SLS is the sodium salt of lauryl sulfate, and is classified by the EWG Cosmetics Database as a “denaturant, surfactant cleansing agent, emulsifier and foamer,” rated as a “moderate hazard.”

Similar to sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is sodium laureth sulfate (short for sodium lauryl ether sulfate, or SLES), a yellow detergent with higher foaming ability. SLES is considered to be slightly less irritating than SLS.

Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) is another surfactant variation commonly put into cosmetics and cleansers to make them foam. ALS is similar to SLS, with similar risks.

SLS Goes By Other Names, Including:

* Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

* A13-00356

* Sulfuric Acid, Monododecyl Ester, Sodium Salt

* Akyposal SDS

* Sodium Salt Sulfuric Acid

* Aquarex ME

* Monododecyl Ester Sodium Salt Sulfuric Acid

* Aquarex Methyl

Can 16,000 Studies About SLS Be Wrong?

According to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews, research studies on SLS have shown links to:

* Irritation Of The Skin And Eyes

* Organ Toxicity

* Developmental/Reproductive Toxicity

* Neurotoxicity, Endocrine Disruption, Ecotoxicology, And Biochemical Or Cellular Changes

* Possible Mutations And Cancer

If you visit the SLS page on the Environmental Working Group‘s (EWG) website, you will see a very long list of health concerns and associated research studies. In fact, you will also see their mention of nearly 16,000 studies in the PubMed science library (as well as their link to that list) about the toxicity of this chemical.

There are clearly grounds for concern about using products containing this agent. Yet skeptics abound, claiming that these concerns are overblown and unfounded. It’s no wonder that consumers are completely confused about just how much risk this chemical poses.

Since most of the research studies are done on SLS itself—not on products containing it—the EWG states:

“Actual health risks will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility.”

Many of the studies on laboratory animals have involved applying SLS directly to the eyes of the animals and feeding them straight SLS. As would be expected with ANY chemical, eating it or putting it in your eyes would be bad news!

Even natural substances applied in high concentration (for example, cinnamon oil or oregano oil) can have harmful effects.

But high levels of SLS intake, either orally or through the skin, are not ordinarily experienced in normal cosmetics use—it’s the gradual, cumulative effects of long-term, repeated exposures that are the real concern. And there is a serious lack of long-term studies on ALL of the chemicals in these products—so we don’t really know what the long-term effects are.

It’s not just repeated exposure to one chemical—it’s the combined effect of thousands of little chemical exposures, day in and day out, that is of concern.

Sorting through the evidence is even more complicated when research findings are exaggerated and misquoted, and then circulated around the Internet as if it were fact.

The Green Study Debacle

A huge source of misinformation arose from a gross misinterpretation (or misrepresentation) of a study done by Dr. Keith Green of the Medical College of Georgia, Department of Ophthalmology, which looked at the uptake of SLS by eye tissues. Paula Begoun (aka “The Cosmetics Cop“) explains on her website how the Green controversy occurred.

Dr. Green investigated SLS uptake into the eye, but he did NOT study the effect of SLS on vision, nor did he study children or cataracts.

However, his findings were misquoted by anti-SLS zealots, to the point that he spent years trying to set the record straight about his findings and conclusions.

Dr. Green found that SLS is rapidly taken up and accumulated by eye tissues, where it is retained for up to five days. He also found that SLS uptake is greater in younger rabbits than in adult rabbits, and that SLS causes changes in some eye proteins.

However, someone quoted him as writing (in a report to the Research to Prevent Blindness conference):

“SLS is a systemic that can penetrate and be retained in the eye, brain, heart, liver, etc., with potentially harmful long-term effects. It can retard healing and cause cataracts in adults, and can keep children’s eyes from developing properly.”

Of course, this statement went far beyond the reaches of his study—and he denied ever saying it. The controversy that ensued led to a whole slew of articles and statements, based on this misinformation, that have done nothing but add to the confusion about SLS and fueling both sides of the issue.

Dr. Green later stated in an interview with Paula Begoun:

“There is no part of my study that indicated any eye development or cataract problems from SLS or SLES and the body does not retain those ingredients at all.”

He also said that he did not even look at the issue with children, and later claimed his findings were so insignificant that he no longer had any interest in further researching the subject.

In spite of Green’s later statements dismissing the importance of his findings, there are legitimate concerns about SLS and its systemic effects—based on multiple other studies.

The fact that one study’s findings were misrepresented doesn’t mean the risks aren’t real. Naysayers are fond of citing the Green study debacle but NOT mentioning the other evidence of potential health risks of SLS.

Real Dangers of SLS—Rumors Aside

A number of studies report SLS being damaging to oral mucosa and skin. This is not at all surprising since SLS is actually used as a skin irritant during studies where medical treatments for skin irritation require an intentionally irritating agent.

A study at the Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University in New York in 1997 examined SLS in mouthwash. They found that SLS in mouth rinses caused desquamation of oral epithelium and a burning sensation in human volunteers.

A study appearing in Exogenous Dermatology confirmed SLS to be a very “corrosive irritant” to the skin—irritation which persisted in research subjects for 3 weeks. SLS exerts its damage by stripping your skin of protective oils and moisture.

SLS is associated with increased aphthous ulcers (canker sores) due to the denaturing effect and irritation of the oral mucosa.

Swallowing SLS will likely lead to nausea and diarrhea and is even used as a laxative in enemas. So be careful not to swallow much of your toothpaste if it contains SLS.

According to Judi Vance, author of Beauty to Die For, SLS can cause cellular DNA damage. In an article for ConsumerHealth.org, she states that a dental association in Japan tested the effects of SLS on bacteria, finding it to be mutagenic. She also states that hair follicles are significant transporters of harmful chemicals into your body.

Links Between SLS, Ethylene Oxide, 1,4 Dioxane, and Cancer

The evidence linking SLS to cancer is a bit challenging due to the paucity of scientific studies. However, carcinogenic effects are quite possible when you consider that SLS/SLES is often contaminated by two known carcinogens:

Ethylene oxide (which is what the “E” in SLES represents). A return to the Skin Deep website for ethylene oxide reveals a rating of “high hazard,” which appears as an impurity in thousands of personal care products. It is used to “ethoxylate” SLS and other chemicals, to make them less harsh.

1,4 dioxane, a byproduct of ethylene oxide, also receives a “high hazard” rating from Skin Deep and is associated with an even longer list of common personal care products. On the CDC site, 1,4 dioxane is described as “probably carcinogenic to humans,” toxic to the brain and central nervous system, kidneys, and liver. It is also a leading groundwater contaminant.

To avoid 1,4 dioxane, the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) recommends avoiding products with indications of ethoxylation.

To do this, look for the following suffixes in the ingredient list: “myreth,” “oleth,” “laureth,” “ceteareth,” any other “eth,” “PEG,” “polyethylene,” “polyethylene glycol,” “polyoxyethylene,” or “oxynol.”

For Example—Sodium Laureth Sulfate.

Both polysorbate 60 and polysorbate 80 are also often contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, according to Dr. Samuel Epstein.

The FDA continues to take the stance that the levels of 1,4 dioxane in body care products are too low to be considered harmful. But given that there are products available that have NO 1,4 dioxane, why take a chance with your health?

Your best bet is to purchase products that are certified under the USDA National Organic Program, and if those aren’t available, select products whose ingredients you recognize—and can pronounce!

SLS and Nitrosamines

SLS has also been linked to nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are potent carcinogens that cause your body to absorb nitrates, which are known to be carcinogenic as well.

According to one article by Greenfeet, at least one study linked SLS to nitrate absorption.

The Greenfeet Article States:

“A study cited in the Wall Street Journal (November 1, 1988) linked SLS to cataracts and nitrate absorption (nitrates are carcinogens—or cancer causing substances). Apparently, this absorption occurs when the SLS becomes contaminated with NDELA (N-nitrosodiethanolamine) during processing.

This contamination comes about as a result of SLS coming into contact with any number of chemicals including TEA (triethanolamine), which is a commonly used ingredient in shampoos as a detergent.”

So, the SLS combines with the TEA, resulting in NDELA, which is a nitrosamine and a recognized carcinogen.

The biochemistry is very complex due to the “chemical cocktail” that is your shampoo or hand wash. When these chemical ingredients come into contact with each other, all sorts of molecular bonds begin to form and new and unintended chemicals are produced.

Unfortunately, Some Of These Unintended Chemicals Are Nitrosamines.

As the above article points out, there is no way the FDA can possibly test all of the combinations of chemicals available, in every unique blend.

So, while the individual ingredients may be considered safe, once you mix them up into a brew, all bets are off. Just because SLS doesn’t contain nitrogen, doesn’t mean it can’t GET a nitrogen from the chemical soup and bond with it to form deadly nitrosamine.

How to Evaluate Your Toxic Toiletry Burden

Lest you shrug these findings off, thinking that your exposure is “insignificant,” think again.

Did you know that, if you use conventional cosmetics on a daily basis, you can absorb almost five pounds of chemicals and toxins into your body each year?

Daily use of ordinary, seemingly benign personal care products like shampoo, toothpaste and shower gel can easily result in exposure to thousands of chemicals, and many will make their way into your body and become “stuck” there, since you lack the means to break them down.

This toxic load can become a significant contributing factor to health problems and serious diseases, especially if your diet and exercise habits are lacking.

Women seem to be predisposed to more autoimmune disorders than men. Diseases such as thyroid disease, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis are far more common in women. Perhaps one of the major contributing factors is that women tend to use far more personal products than men.

If you are a woman, acting on the information in this report is particularly important. Is your make-up cabinet a toxic wasteland?

It is especially challenging to establish a link between these routine chemical exposures and health problems down the road, because the adverse effects might not show up for years.

As Theo Colburn discusses in Our Stolen Future, in some cases, effects are not seen in the person exposed but DO appear in her offspring.

This has been seen in the animal kingdom, as well as in humans. Some adults have been known to suddenly show a disease many decades after prenatal exposure.

If you would like to learn more about the health effects of the chemicals you are routinely exposed to, I strongly urge you to read Our Toxic World: A Wake Up Call by Dr. Doris Rapp. She does a thorough job of uncovering the many ways we are exposed to toxic chemicals and how they contribute to chronic disease.

A Newer, Greener YOU!

With the jury still out about long-term exposure to SLS and its associated contaminants, the best advice is to avoid them and avoid the risk altogether—since there are safe alternatives available.

The easiest way to ensure that you’re not being exposed to potentially hazardous agents is to make your own personal care products, using simple all-natural ingredients that you may already have in your home.

Finding recipes for your own homemade beauty products is a breeze when you have access to the Internet. Just Google “homemade cosmetics” for more than 400,000 pages of recipes and instructions.

Updated: 7-31-2022

A Banana Boat Sunscreen Spray Was Recalled Due To Presence Of Carcinogen Benzene

Trace amounts of the cancer-causing chemical were found in some samples of Hair & Scalp SPF 30 sunscreen aerosol products.

Edgewell Personal Care Co. issued a voluntary recall of one of its Banana Boat sunscreen spray products after an internal review found trace levels of the carcinogen benzene in some samples.

Edgewell pulled several batches of its Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 after tests found that the product contained small amounts of the cancer-causing chemical, the manufacturer said Friday in a statement to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The company said benzene isn’t an ingredient in any Banana Boat product, but an internal review showed that unexpected levels of the chemical came from the propellant that sprays the sunscreen out of the can.

Exposure to benzene could potentially result in blood disorders, leukemia and other cancers, the company said. Edgewell said it hasn’t received any notice of adverse events related to the recall to date.

“Daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences according to an independent health assessment using established exposure modeling guidelines,” the company said.

The Shelton, Conn.-based company said in its voluntary recall that the affected products have expiration dates of December 2022, February 2023 and April 2024.

Consumers can identify possibly tainted products by the lot numbers on the bottom of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 cans.

Lot numbers 20016AF, 20084BF and 21139AF shouldn’t be used, the company said.

Banana Boat will offer reimbursement to consumers who bought the recalled sunscreen spray products packaged in aerosol cans.

The products were distributed nationwide in the U.S. through various retailers and online. Edgewell said it has notified its retailers to remove any remaining recalled product from shelves.

Benzene, a colorless chemical with a sweet odor, is found in natural sources like volcanoes and forest fires, and can also be man-made, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is widely used in the U.S., ranking in the top 20 chemicals for production volume, the CDC said.

In July 2021, Johnson & Johnson recalled most of its Neutrogena and Aveeno spray sunscreens from U.S. stores after detecting benzene in some samples. Later that year, Procter & Gamble Co. issued a recall for its Old Spice and Secret antiperspirant sprays after benzene was detected in some of the products.

Bitcoin Information & Resources (#GotBitcoin)

US Consumers Hit The Brakes While Goods Imports Sink By A Record (If You Have No Gold, You’er Ass-Out)

North Korea Infiltrates U.S. Remote Jobs—With The Help of Everyday Americans

America’s Leading Alien Hunters Depend On AI To Speed Their Search

Bitcoin’s Nouveau Riche Executives And Wealthy Investors In Search Of Ways To Protect Themselves

How Anthocyanins Shield Us From Microplastics

Origins Of Toxic Algae (Domoic Acid) Killing Sea Lions, Birds And Dolphins In Southern California

The Human Brain And It’s Ability To Time-Travel

Wall Street’s New Tariff Safe Haven: Biotech Companies Adopting Bitcoin Treasury Strategy

How Natural “Short Sleepers” Thrive On 4 Hours Of Sleep Per Night Thanks To A Gene Mutation

Nine Unknown Benefits of Sleep Including Penal And Clitoral Erections

Elite Athletes Try A New Training Tactic: More Vitamin D3