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Benzene, a Known Human Carcinogen, Detected in Suncare Products

Authors:
Ivan V Litvinov at McGill University
Ivan V Litvinov
Santina Conte at McGill University
Santina Conte
François Lagacé at McGill University
François Lagacé
Elena Netchiporouk at McGill University
Elena Netchiporouk
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1Division of Dermatology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal,
QC, Canada
Corresponding Author:
Ivan V. Litvinov, Division of Dermatology, McGill University Health
Centre, 1001 Boul Decarie, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Email: ivan. litvinov@ mcgill. ca
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery
00(0) 1–2
© The Author(s) 2021
Article reuse guidelines:
sagepub. com/ journals- permissions
DOI: 10. 1177/ 1203 4754 2110 34507
journals. sagepub. com/ home/ cms
Benzene, a Known Human Carcinogen,
Detected in Suncare Products
Santina Conte1
, François Lagacé1
, Elena Netchiporouk1
,
Denis Sasseville1
, and Ivan V. Litvinov
Keywords
sunscreen, citizen petition, valisure, benzene
Medical Letter
Dear Editor,
The use of sunscreen has long been promoted by derma-
tologists around the world as an important means of protect-
ing the skin from ultraviolet radiation, whose detrimental
eects are multifold.1,2 Recent investigations by Valisure, a
company dedicated to bringing transparency and increased
quality to the pharmaceutical industry, detected the presence
of a known human carcinogen, benzene, in a variety of sun-
care products, thus warranting further investigations.3
Benzene is an organic chemical compound formed from
both natural processes and human activities. It is used in the
production of plastics, resins, nylon and synthetic bers, as
well as lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, and
pesticides.
According to the American Cancer Society ( www. cancer.
org/ cancer/ cancer- causes/ benzene. html), benzene is classi-
ed as “carcinogenic to humans” following research that
proved a causal relationship between benzene and acute
myeloid leukemia. Other malignancies with potential links to
benzene exposure include acute lymphocytic leukemia,
chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other blood cancers.4
Additional long- term eects of benzene exposure may
include anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, occurrence
of autoimmunity as well as potential damage to the reproduc-
tive organs.5
Both sunscreen and after- sun care products are regulated
by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which lim-
its the concentration of benzene to 2 parts per million (ppm)
in conditionally restricted circumstances. The FDA recog-
nizes benzene as a Class 1 solvent, a group of substances that
should be avoided unless their use is critical in the produc-
tion of a drug with signicant therapeutic advance. Benzene
is not a crucial ingredient in the production of skin care prod-
ucts and is inherently avoidable/unacceptable.
Of 294 unique batches from 69 dierent companies, 78 lots
(27%) were found to have detectable benzene at a concentration
ranging between <0.1-6.26 ppm or 695,800 nanograms of the
compound, which is systemically toxic in even innitesimally
small quantities over- time via cutaneous absorption. Both
chemical and mineral- based sunscreens were found to contain
benzene. The vehicle format was important, as benzene was
detected primarily in sprays and gels, but not creams. Only one
lotion contained benzene at a concentration ≥1 ppm (Eco-
Formula Sunscreen Lotion SPF30, Raw Elements©). For a
complete listing of brands, where benzene was detected, please
visit: https://www. valisure. com/ blog/ valisure- news/ valisure-
detects-benzene-in-sunscreen/
Clinically, this is an important issue for dermatologists, as
consumers are likely to bring this information in seeking
suncare recommendations. We emphasize that these ndings
have not yet been vetted in a peer- reviewed study and have
not been validated by an independent government agency.
While some brands and types of sunscreens (eg, select
sprays/gels) may contain minute levels of benzene, the
majority of products were not found to contain this carcino-
gen, and importantly, no sunscreen creams were found to
contain benzene. There are still many ways to protect oneself
from harmful ultraviolet radiation while avoiding hemato-
toxic carcinogens, and these products should continue to be
used in combination with hats, sunglasses and sun- protective
clothing.
Based on ocial statements emerging from the aected
industry members, this matter is being taken seriously and
we anticipate more clarications and actions on removing
benzene from suncare products in the coming months.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
The author(s) declared no potential conicts of interest with respect
to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery 00(0)2
Funding
The author(s) received no nancial support for the research,
authorship, and/or publication of this article.
ORCID iDs
Santina Conte https:// orcid. org/ 0000- 0002- 8342- 5738
François Lagacé https:// orcid. org/ 0000- 0002- 9033- 2302
Elena Netchiporouk https:// orcid. org/ 0000- 0002- 6692- 7787
Denis Sasseville https:// orcid. org/ 0000- 0001- 9104- 2342
Ivan V. Litvinov https:// orcid. org/ 0000- 0003- 0562- 4675
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... Other confounding factors could affect survey outcomes, like lack of data for indoor tanning across all time points and concerns about adverse issues or cancers associated with sunscreens [88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97]. In the future, survey data may be affected by the concerns with sunscreen recalls due to benzene contamination [98,99]. In addition, in March 2020, the NHIS transitioned from in-person to total telephone interviewing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ...
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... It is classified as carcinogen for humans, with effects such as acute leukemia and probably other hematological cancers. Benzene is a major raw material used to make plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, nylons, dyes, detergents, pharmaceuticals and pesticides, and is also a component of crude oil (Smith 2010;Conte et al 2021). In the environment, this pollutant can be accumulated in organisms through direct or indirect routes. ...
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... Simple aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) are the most common contaminants of the groundwater and can therefore easily contaminate drinking water due to their relatively high water solubility. Benzene is an important industrial chemical (Conte et al. 2021) and due to the discharge or disposal of product, benzene can pass into air, water, and soil as well. Accidental leakage of the underground storage tanks release benzene into water and soil where it breaks down more slowly than in air. ...
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  • ANTON LEEUW INT J G
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  • Mar 2023
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Toxicity assessment and detection of benzene extracted from wastewater by saponin biosurfactant using luminescence biosensor
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Full-text available
  • Oct 2021
In this research, benzene, a toxic compound encountered in industrial wastewater, was extracted using a mixture of saponin and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as anionic surfactants. Also, a biosensor system for assessment of toxicity and detection of extracted benzene was designed using the Luc strains of luminescent Escherichia coli. Results showed saponin and SDS were synergistic for the extraction of benzene. An optimal hydrophilic–lipophilic balance value for extraction was determined to be about 24.1, representing a mixture of 40 wt% SDS and 60% saponin. Under optimal conditions, the concentration of extracted benzene in extraction phase reached 27 ppm. When extracted benzene solution was injected into the biosensor system, the luminescence level of biosensor decreased dramatically, reflecting toxicity. The concentration of benzene in the extracted solution correlated well with toxicity levels measured by the biosensor system. Using the luminescence biosensor system, the half‐maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of benzene was about 26.2 ppm. Our results demonstrate that the designed biosensor system has good sensitivity for toxicity assessment of extracted benzene, and therefore can be proposed as an approach to detect of benzene and other toxic compounds in wastewater. Light emission of luminescence bacteria and inhibition of light production by toxicants.
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Incidence, Mortality, and Spatiotemporal Distribution of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma Cases Across Canada
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  • May 2019
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Analysis of acute myeloid leukemia incidence and geographic distribution in Canada from 1992 to 2010 reveals disease clusters in Sarnia and other industrial US border cities in Ontario
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Background Several risk factors have been implicated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) leukemogenesis. However, the epidemiologic distribution and precise triggers for AML in Canada remain poorly understood. Methods In this study, demographic data for AML patients in Canada from 1992 to 2010 were analyzed using 3 independent population‐based cancer registries. The AML incidence and mortality rates were examined at the levels of province/territory, city, and forward sortation area (FSA) postal code. Results In total, 18,085 patients were identified. AML incidence was documented to be 30.61 cases per million individuals per year (95% confidence interval [CI], 30.17‐31.06) from 1992 to 2010. Five industrial cities in Ontario were identified where incidence rates were significantly higher than the national average: Sarnia, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, St. Catharines, and Hamilton. Analysis at the FSA postal code level identified significant patient clusters of AML in these cities. Specifically, FSA N7V in Sarnia, Ontario had an incidence of 106.81 (95% CI, 70.96‐161.86) cases per million individuals per year, which is >3 times higher than the national average. The pollution from local oil refineries and chemical plants in Sarnia may be implicated as a risk factor for AML in that city. Analysis of mortality rates at the province and city levels corroborated the findings from the incidence data. Conclusion These results provide a comprehensive analysis of AML burden in Canada and reveal striking geographic case clustering in industrial Ontario cities and potentially implicate exposure to materials/pollution from these plants as an important risk factor for developing AML in Canada.
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Toward Understanding of Environmental Risk Factors in Systemic Sclerosis
Article
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Importance: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe, chronic, and incurable autoimmune fibrotic skin disease with significant extracutaneous involvement. Low concordance rate in twin studies and unequal geographic distribution of SSc argues for importance of environment in disease initiation and progression. Objective: In this manuscript we provide a summary of all investigated potential external risk factors for SSc. Data sources: A literature search in PubMed and EMBASE database was performed for studies published until January 1, 2020 by 2 reviewers (EN and LO) independently. Findings: Occupational and/or environmental exposures to silica and organic solvents are associated with increased incidence and severity of SSc. Exposure to epoxy resins, asbestos, and particulate air pollution favors increased risk of SSc, but data are based on limited number of observational studies. There is insufficient evidence to conclude an association between SSc development and other occupational (eg, welding fumes) or personal exposures (eg, smoking, vitamin D deficiency). Association of SSc with silicone breast implants has been disproven. Infectious pathogens (eg, Helicobacter pylori and angiotropic viruses) and dysbiosis seem to play a role in SSc development and severity, but their role remains to be clarified. Conclusions and relevance: It may be prudent to counsel our patients with SSc (or those at risk of SSc) to avoid occupations with exposure to silica, organic solvents, asbestos and epoxy resins; restraint from smoking, using cocaine or drugs with pro-fibrotic potential. While the association between low vitamin D and SSc remains to be confirmed, we believe that SSc patients should be encouraged to maintain healthy vitamin D levels as benefits outweigh the risks.
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Sunscreen Application, Safety, and Sun Protection: The Evidence
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Recently in Canada, there has been an effort to create consistent messaging about sun safety as there is a lack of up-to-date evidence-based guidelines regarding sun-protection measures. This review aimed to provide updated, evidence-based recommendations on sunscreen application, safety, and sun protection regarding the following topics for which there is clinical uncertainty: physical barriers, sunscreen properties, sunscreen application, and risk-benefit analysis.
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Valisure Detects Benzene in Sunscreen
  • Valisure
Valisure. Valisure Detects Benzene in Sunscreen. Accessed May 30, 2021. https://www. valisure. com/ blog/ valisure-news/ valisure-detects-benzene-in-sunscreen/