After discovering benzene levels in 70% of the study’s sampled, Valisure issued a citizen appeal to the US Food and Drug Administration on November 1. 70% of the samples tested from 148 batches of dry shampoo products from 34 different brands contained “quantifiable” amounts of benzene.
Given that dry shampoos are likely used indoors, where benzene may remain and be absorbed for extended periods, the discovery of high quantities of benzene in these products should raise serious concerns because there is an elevated risk of cancer, which is the cause of the recall. Leukemia, bone marrow blood cancer, and potentially fatal blood diseases can all be brought on by benzene.
Recalled Products For Shampoo
The following Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head), and Tresemmé dry shampoo products have been recalled.
- Dove Dry Shampoo Volume and Fullness
- Dove Dry Shampoo Fresh Coconut
- Dove Dry Shampoo Fresh and Floral
- Dove Dry Shampoo Ultra Clean
- Dove Dry Shampoo Invisible
- Dove Dry Shampoo Invisible
- Dove Dry Shampoo Clarifying Charcoal
- Tresemmé Dry Shampoo Fresh and Clean
- Tresemmé Pro Pure Dry Shampoo
- Tresemmé Pro Pure Dry Shampoo
- Bed Head Oh Bee Hive Dry Shampoo
- Bed Head Oh Bee Hive Dry Shampoo
- Bed Head Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo
- Bed Head Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo
The products were produced before October 2021 and distributed throughout retail stores and online. The shampoos should be taken off the shelves at retailers, who have been informed. Additionally, Unilever has recommended customers not use the recalled shampoos.
How risky is it to use a dry shampoo containing benzene?
Benzene is present in 70% of spray-on dry shampoos, according to research. According to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular exposure to high levels of benzene can lead to cancers such as leukemia.
A potentially harmful compound is benzene. High exposure levels may have both immediate and long-term negative health impacts.
Short-term effects
High concentrations of benzene in the air can harm the nervous system, resulting in fatigue, headaches, tremors, confusion, and/or unconsciousness. High amounts of benzene contamination in food or drink can result in nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, drowsiness, seizures, and a rapid heartbeat. In severe situations, benzene can be fatal when inhaled or ingested in extremely high concentrations.
The skin, eyes, and throat can get irritated when exposed to benzene liquid or vapor. Blisters and redness can develop on the skin after contact with benzene.
Long-term effects
The main area of the body affected by long-term benzene exposure is the bone marrow, the soft interior of the bone where new blood cells are produced. Anemia (low red blood cell count), which can make a person feel weak and exhausted, can develop from this. a low white blood cell count, which may be fatal and reduce the body’s capacity to fight diseases. Having too many blood platelets, which can cause excessive bleeding and bruising
There is some evidence that suggests prolonged exposure to benzene may be harmful to the reproductive system. It is unknown for certain if benzene caused the irregular menstrual cycles and ovarian shrinkage experienced by some women who inhaled high doses of the chemical for several months. It is unknown if exposure to benzene has an impact on male fertility or the fetus in pregnant women.
Dry shampoo causing cancer
The second greatest cause of death worldwide is cancer. The propensity of cancer to spread throughout your body is common. On the other hand, because of advancements in cancer detection, treatment, and prevention, survival rates are rising for many cancer types.
However, one shouldn’t become careless about using methods related to the causes of cancer because of the cancer survival rate. Additionally, exposure to chemicals like benzene and asbestos at work or home is linked to a higher chance of developing cancer.
AEROSOL
Dry shampoo is frequently sold in aerosol spray cans at drugstores and even upscale hair salons. The manner the product is dispersed as well as the chemicals inside might contribute to the health hazards. Dry shampoo aerosols spray a chemical propellant onto your hair, into the air, and out of the can.
The components of this colorless, odorless gas known as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) are butane, propane, and isobutane. Aerosols have a variety of negative health effects, including both short-term acute symptoms like asthma and bronchitis and long-term chronic irritation and inflammation of the respiratory tract, which may eventually result in cancer.
TALC
Several dry shampoos on the market today also contain talc, which is often contaminated with asbestos (a highly toxic mineral). Although its ability to absorb oil may appear supernatural, its negative effects are not. The usage of talc raises several health issues, including substantial cancer risks, organ system toxicity, respiratory distress, and skin irritations.
Additionally, according to the petition, several samples analyzed by Valisure revealed more than 10 times the FDA drug limit, and three batches of dry shampoo products from one brand had been sprayed with more than 100 ppm of benzene. The petition also claims that Valisure found benzene in several other frequently used items, including several sunscreens and hand sanitizers.
In conclusion, these problems and others discovered by Valisure, such as the discovery of benzene in sunscreen, body spray, hand sanitizer, and dry shampoo, strongly emphasize the significance of independent testing and the requirement for better integrating it into a more vulnerable and intricate global supply chain.
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