Posted on September 19th, 2022
More than half of the 108 lots of deodorant products from 30 different brands tested by Valisure were found to contain detectable levels of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical linked to leukemia and other severe blood disorders, sparking significant and nationwide consumer concern following the current, compelling evidence.
Benzene is classified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a "Class 1 solvent," and its toxicity is deemed unacceptable. Its presence is sometimes tolerated at a concentration of 2 parts per million (ppm) in several drugs with therapeutic use but never in body spray products.
The highest benzene levels were identified in products containing butane, confirming that contamination with the carcinogen originates from raw materials manufacturers use as propellants. None of the products actually contain benzene as an ingredient, so its presence is due to manufacturing errors or the means that it is delivered to the body.
Underarm sprays reveal elevated levels of benzene contamination
The highest reported benzene levels in antiperspirant and deodorant sprays from separate tests were nearly 18 parts per million and were manufactured by Procter & Gamble Co.:
Other harmful antiperspirant brands by Walmart Inc. and Unilever PLC that ranked at the top of the list are:
- Equate - Dry Spray, Cucumber - avg. 6.15 ppm
- Suave - 24 Hour Protection, Powder, Aerosol - avg. 5.21 ppm
Most products found to contain benzene were intended for underarm use. The testing method employed for the products with the highest benzene levels was performed in a closed bathroom by spraying under each arm, following normal consumer behavior. This process was said to bring the overall bathroom air to 15 times the limit for what the Environmental Protection Agency has claimed is an elevated risk for leukemia.
The dangers of long-term benzene exposure include the risk of developing leukemia and further life-threatening disorders affecting the blood, immune system, and bone marrow. When this toxic chemical enters the body, it affects cell function, causing the bone marrow to produce fewer red blood cells.
There is consistent evidence to date that benzene exposure increases the risk for leukemia, as well as various forms of hematologic malignancies. The data disclosed following the analysis of underarm sprays is sufficient to spark concern that the elevated benzene levels in contaminated products can lead to leukemia.
File a benzene underarm spray claim with the help of our leukemia attorneys
If you've used benzene-contaminated deodorant products and were subsequently diagnosed with leukemia, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering. Environmental Litigation Group has over three decades of experience in supporting clients obtain the reparations they deserve from liable manufacturers for their continuous struggles.
We can determine the eligibility of your claim while keeping your involvement to a minimum. We only require the relevant details of your present circumstances and a diagnosis to assert your condition. Why not leave the complicated legal aspects in the capable hands of a professional team while you focus on your health?
