FDA Citizen Petition #6: Benzene in Body Spray Products
On November 4, 2021, Valisure announced the detection of high levels of benzene, a known human carcinogen, in several brands and batches of antiperspirant body sprays, regulated as drug products by the FDA, and deodorant body sprays, generally regulated as cosmetics.
Valisure analyzed 108 unique batches from 30 different brands. Even within a single brand, significant batch-to-batch variability was observed:
- 24 lots from 8 brands contained 2.24 – 17.7 ppm of benzene
- 14 lots from 8 brands contained 0.20 – 1.89 ppm of benzene
- 21 lots showed detectable levels of benzene
- Benzene was not detected in 49 lots from 19 different brands
Full Petition & Supporting Documents:
- Press Release - Valisure Detects Benzene in Body Spray Products
- Attachment A – Resolution from the American College of Cardiology regarding independent testing
- Please read about Responsible Disposal of Potentially Contaminated Products
- FDA Citizen Petition – Contains lists of products where benzene was detected and not detected
- Summary Timeline of consumer product recalls due to benzene
Media Coverage Highlights:
- Bloomberg: Leukemia-Causing Benzene Found in Underarm Sprays
- Business Insider: Secret, Old Spice antiperspirants have been recalled after cancer-causing chemical found in the sprays
- CNET: Tests detect benzene in Old Spice, Secret, and other deodorant sprays
- CNN: Antiperspirant recall: What the finding of a cancer-causing chemical means for you
- Chemical & Engineering News: Finding benzene everywhere we look
- Forbes: FDA: P&G Recalls Antiperspirant Sprays Due To Cancer Risk Of Benzene
- HBW Insight: Valisure’s Findings Of Benzene In Body Sprays Suggest Ongoing Aerosol Propellant Problem
- Health: Benzene, a Carcinogen, Found in Batches of Deodorants: Here's What You Need to Know
- NBC News: Without the ability to force recalls, FDA can only warn consumers about benzene in hand sanitizers
- The Peoples Pharmacy: Valisure Identifies Benzene in Antiperspirant Body Sprays
- SHAPE: A New Study Found the Carcinogen Benzene In 59 Popular Deodorant and Antiperspirant Sprays
- World Aerosols: Benzene - a contamination problem?
