‘Relevant’ levels of cancer-causing chemicals found in most dry shampoos

(CNN) — High levels of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, have been found in more brands and dry shampoo products, according to a new report from Valisure, an independent lab.

Last month, Some dry shampoo sprays were recalled, including some products from Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI and TRESemmé. Voluntarily due to the possible presence of benzene.

On Monday, Valisure submitted a citizen petition to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) saying that out of 148 batches of 34 different brands of dry shampoo products, 70% of the samples tested showed “measurable” levels of benzene.

According to their report, 11 samples showed more than 10 times the FDA limit for the drug, two parts per million.

“However, the tested dry shampoos are not drugs and do not contain any active pharmaceutical ingredients for therapeutic purposes. Therefore, significant detection of benzene may be considered unacceptable. In addition, Valisure shows data from benzene analysis with samples taken directly from contaminated air after spraying dry shampoo, both short-term and long-term. “This finding is particularly concerning, suggesting the potential for chronic inhalation exposure. This known human carcinogen is frequently used in dry shampoo products and at high doses,” wrote Valisure’s CEO David Light and Valisure’s head of global analytics, Qian Wu. FDA Citizen Petition.

The petition urges the FDA to “immediately request the recall” of numerous affected products containing benzene and better define limits for benzene contamination in other products.

The FDA typically takes 180 days to respond to such a request.

In summary, three dry shampoo products from one brand contained an aerosol containing more than 100 ppm of benzene, and some samples tested by Valisure showed more than 10 times the FDA prescription limit.

In turn, the petition states that Valisure has also found benzene in other commonly used products, including some hand sanitizers and sunscreens.

CNN has reached out to the FDA for comment by contacting the brands named in the petition, but has yet to hear back.

“Findings of high levels of benzene in dry shampoos should be of great concern because these products can be used indoors, where benzene can be inhaled for long periods of time,” Light said in a news release Tuesday.

“Other issues identified by Valisure, including the detection of benzene in body sprays, hand sanitizers and sunscreen products, underscore the importance of independent testing and the need for better integration in an increasingly complex and vulnerable global supply chain,” he said. was added.

Last year, several deodorants and sunscreen products were recalled after benzene was detected.

Benzene is formed from both natural and synthetic processes. “Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. Benzene is a natural component of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke,” according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Breathing air that contains benzene is the main way people are exposed,” says the American Cancer Society.

CNN’s Renu Charles contributed to this report.