The report also mentioned that similar carbomers have been used in other products, such as Walgreens’ generic Anbesol, Walmart’s Equate facial moisturizer with sunscreen, and Rite Aid’s generic Bengay. CVS Health has announced that it is working with suppliers to change the carbomers used in its products to reduce the risk of benzene exposure.

The FDA had originally planned to completely ban benzene in US medicines by 2025. However, after complaints from the pharmaceutical industry, the deadline was extended to 2026.

Risks of benzene exposure

Benzene is a colorless chemical with a slightly sweet odor. It is highly flammable and is often part of the chemical composition of natural gas in residential buildings. If there is a natural gas leak, the benzene can catch fire and cause an explosion.

However, benzene is also known to be toxic. It is linked to the formation of carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide – chemicals that are all toxic to human health.

Exposure to benzene emissions itself can damage the immune system and is associated with an increased risk of several deadly cancers and life-threatening diseases such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), hairy cell leukemia (HCL), non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDL), myelofibrosis, myeloid metaplasia, aplastic anemia, and thrombocytopenic purpura.

Long-term side effects of benzene exposure have been shown to cause anemia, a condition that occurs when there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells, or hemoglobin, in your blood.

Lawsuits over benzene contamination

In addition to cold remedies and other store-brand medications, high levels of benzene have also been found in many aerosol sprays in recent years, leading to numerous recalls of sunscreens, deodorants and antiperspirants.

In 2021, there was a massive sunscreen recall due to benzene contamination after tests found dangerous levels of benzene in 78 sunscreen and after-sun care products, with more than a quarter of the products containing more than 2 parts per million (ppm).

Following this discovery, a series of similar recalls were issued over the following years for sunscreen sprays and mists from Neutrogena, Aveeno and Banana Boat, as well as for deodorants from products such as Dove, Suave and Nexus, as well as Old Spice and Secret.

In October 2023, a federal judge approved a $3.1 million settlement for Batiste dry shampoo that included a $2.5 million cash fund and $600,000 in vouchers for consumers who purchased the benzene-contaminated shampoo products. The settlement resolved a class action lawsuit against manufacturer Church & Dwight, Co. over benzene contamination in its dry shampoo spray products. The lawsuit resulted from an October 2022 recall of dry shampoo by Unilever after elevated levels of benzene were found in the aerosol propellant used by the manufacturer.

Johnson & Johnson has also faced a number of class action lawsuits over benzene contamination in its spray sunscreens. The court granted final approval in February 2023 for a settlement in a class action lawsuit involving Neutrogena and Aveeno spray sunscreens, in which Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $1.75 million in vouchers to consumers who purchased products contaminated with benzene following a 2021 recall.

However, an appeals court overturned the Neutrogena-Aveeno sunscreen settlement in June 2024 and ordered a lower court to recalculate the coupon amounts and attorney fees.

In addition to the class action lawsuits seeking refunds, Johnson & Johnson is also facing potential sunscreen cancer lawsuits filed on behalf of consumers who developed various forms of blood cancer after regularly using recalled Neutrogena or Aveeno products.