Exposure to benzene can increase cancer risk by a whopping 40%
The FDA prohibits the use of benzene in consumer products because it has "unacceptable toxicity". Nevertheless, while deodorant manufacturers do not intentionally add benzene to their products, the chemical ended up in body sprays as a contaminant. A study from the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health found that people exposed to 1 ppm of benzene for 40 years have a 70% higher risk of developing leukemia compared to the general population. Benzene exposure increases leukemia risk because:
- it prevents cells from working correctly
- it keeps bone marrow from producing enough red blood cells
- it causes damage to the DNA
- it damages the immune system by changing the antibodies level in the blood
Supposing a 5-gram application of a benzene-containing deodorant body spray fully evaporates into a one cubic meter volume, the most contaminated product Valisure found could raise the benzene air concentration to 28 ppb, which is roughly 69 times EPA's estimated threshold for elevated cancer risk. "The detection of high levels of benzene in body sprays is cause for significant concern since these products are often used daily, by both adults and adolescents," says David Light, Founder and CEO of Valisure.
Therefore, no exposure to benzene is safe, as, over time, the chemical accumulates in the body and causes irreversible changes that can eventually lead to cancer. While Valisure has petitioned the FDA with regard to the antiperspirant and deodorant body sprays that had been found to contain benzene, the agency has not issued any recall on any of those products. Some manufacturers have, though, including:
- Procter & Gamble, which sells Old Spice and Secret body sprays
- Unilever, which sells body spray under the brand Suave
We will efficiently help you file a benzene deodorant claim if you struggle with leukemia
Our leukemia attorneys and legal team have over 25 years of experience in pursuing compensation for people who came to struggle with awful health problems as a consequence of using toxic products.
If you were diagnosed with leukemia and have used a benzene deodorant, we strongly encourage you to contact us. After you send our skilled attorneys proof that you have used one or multiple contaminated products and your medical records, we will begin evaluating your case.
If we determine that you are eligible to file a benzene deodorant claim, our experienced legal team will begin preparing it for submission as soon as possible. Your involvement in the process will be minimal, as we know how overwhelming it can be to suffer from such a serious disease as leukemia, so you can keep focusing on your health and treatment in the meantime. We will strive to obtain the maximum compensation you are entitled to, which will help you afford better treatment.
