Therefore, no evaluation of cancer risk posed by exposure to benzene from this event was carried out.". "Daily exposure to benzene at the levels detected in these affected Coppertone aerosol sunscreen spray products would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences based on generally accepted exposure modeling by numerous regulatory agencies," said Coppertone in its news release. The Carcinogen Benzene Was Found In These 78 Sunscreens - Shape Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor. Emissions above that level don't trigger any regulatory action by the agency. Hemminger, the former Deer Park official, said in an interview that the city only warned residents if emissions exceeded the "action level" within the city's boundaries and were expected to linger, based on weather forecasts and subsequent readings. It's the dead of summer, so chances are you've been putting your sunscreen stash to good use. Fight between neighbors leads to shooting in NE Houston, police say, New details about King Charles' coronation, 6 shot, 2 fatally, at after-prom party in Mississippi, Conroe ISD secures campuses amid manhunt for alleged mass shooter, Erin Douglas, Alejandra Martinez, and Caroline Covington, The Texas Tribune, San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, is known as an industry-friendly environmental consulting firm. BENZENE | Occupational Safety and Health Administration At the ITC tank farm, the fire was out, but a new danger emerged. Toxic burn pits put the health of US veterans at risk. Whether you want to learn about treatment options, get advice on coping with side effects, or have questions about health insurance, were here to help. But the description of the compounds in Aromatic 200 does not fit that of benzene, said Raynor, the University of Minnesota professor. If you have been injured, it's in your best interests to seek immediate medical treatment. ", "They are striking concentrations of benzene," Shonkoff said. One Harris County official estimated that all together, more than 400 personnel took air samples throughout the response. If you feel like there's been a lot of concerning sunscreen news lately, you're not imagining it. As officials declared victory, Mario Ochoa's mother could hardly breathe. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. It evaporates quickly when exposed to air. The petroleum-based chemical causes cancer, especially leukemia and in blood forming organs, the US Department of Health and Human Services wrote. Benzene is used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents, pesticides, and other chemicals. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. In a December statement, the agency said it was investigating the situation, doing its own testing and urged companies to recall contaminated products. Finding benzene everywhere we look - Chemical & Engineering News Accessed at https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/benzene.pdf on January 25, 2023. Light pointed to decades of research that has found no safe levels of benzene exposure because its so toxic at very low levels. "I'm not sure whether we really got there," he said. A final report is expected this year. "It was a missed opportunity because [the data from the EPA's mobile lab] could've been used to inform some of the public health decisions, but it doesn't seem like it was.". "The duration of exposure related [to the ITC fire] was much shorter. Areas with heavy traffic, gas stations, and areas near industrial sources may also have higher air levels. Gasoline Mobile Source Air Toxics | US EPA "It was scary.". This contamination may be related to inactive ingredients such as carbomers (thickening agents), isobutane (a spray propellant), or other drug components made from hydrocarbons. Frequently Asked Questions on Benzene Contamination in Drugs Among the recalled hand sanitizer brands are Art Naturals, Best Brands and Natural Wunderz. Benzene is less dense than water and will float on the surface of water. "To me, it's no joke," he said, adding that he worries about whether the fumes he breathed could increase his risk of cancer. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help. It is harmful to the eyes, skin, airway, nervous system, and lungs. Products from household names like Purell and Suave didnt contain the chemical. Volume 100F: Chemical Agents and Related Occupations. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans - and engages with them - about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Some states may have lower limits. A 1997 explosion at Shell Oil Co. injured several workers and sent residents scurrying to shelter in their homes. The contaminated sunscreens include both chemical and mineral formulas. Benzene 71-43-2 Hazard Summary Benzene is found in the air from emissions from burning coal and oil, gasoline service stations, and motor vehicle exhaust. Anita Desikan, one of the authors of a December 2022 study of the ITC fire and a senior analyst for the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the action level used during the ITC incident was "out of line with basically every other measure I've seen [for] benzene. Workers in industries that make or use benzene can be exposed to this chemical. Instead, they spend more time indoors playing video games. Cancer.org is provided courtesy of the Leo and Gloria Rosen family. The TCEQ, meanwhile, advised "sensitive populations" - including elderly residents, pregnant people and children - to limit outdoor physical activity and told everyone to avoid any black smoke still drifting through the area. With exposures from less than five years to more than 30 years, individuals have developed, and died from, leukemia. Tumori. . Benzene is a colourless liquid with a characteristic odour and is primarily used in the production of polystyrene. The benzene drifting through Deer Park "was a health threat to the community that went basically unshared," said Elena Craft, a senior scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund. "That almost killed some firefighters," Royall said. With fire out, officials declare victory - March 20, 2019. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. Exposure to benzene has been linked with a higher risk of cancer, particularlyleukemiaand other cancers of blood cells. It's known to cause cancer after repeated exposure and can irritate the throat and eyes. Report on Carcinogens, Fifteenth Edition. Your Gas Stove May Be Leaking Benzene Into Your Kitchen In order to ensure their products conform to appropriate quality specifications (21 CFR 211.84, 21 CFR 211.160), and consistent with the recommendations in the ICH Q3C guidance, applicants and manufacturers who identify risks of benzene contamination from drug components or confirm the presence of benzene in a drug product should also take steps to use ingredients without benzene, or, if justified, use suppliers that minimize risk of unacceptable benzene impurity levels. A: While benzene is not usually used in the manufacture of drugs, the contamination may be related to inactive ingredients in drugs such as carbomers (thickening agents), isobutane (a spray propellant), or other drug components made from hydrocarbons (chemicals made of hydrogen and carbon). Cars zoomed past her. Benzene can also be absorbed through the skin during contact with a source such as gasoline, but because liquid benzene evaporates quickly, this is less common. The affected sunscreens: Neutrogena Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Invisible Daily defense aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer aerosol sunscreen, and Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen. Synonyms: Benzene. In many cases, Valisure found one batch of a product would contain benzene while another of the same product would not. All three tests urine, blood, and breath must be performed shortly after exposure, or else benzene levels may not be accurately indicated by the tests. Independent lab found the chemical in more than a quarter of items it tested sometimes at levels considered life threatening. The time lag between exposure and cancer can be a long period of time, he said. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, pleasecontact an attorney in your area. With exposures from less than five years to more than 30 years, individuals have developed, and died from, leukemia. FDA will advise on appropriate next steps such as notifying any entity that received contaminated API. IARC classifies benzene as carcinogenic to humans, based on sufficient evidence that it causes acute myeloid leukemia (AML). You can help reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices like eating right, staying active and not smoking. Benzene levels are regulated in drinking water nationally and internationally, and in bottled water in the United States, but only informally in soft drinks. Benzene Factsheet. Interventions to reduce both work and general population exposure include promoting the use of alternative solvents in industrial processes, developing and implementing policies and legislation to remove benzene from consumer products, discouraging domestic use of benzene . That's when he first saw the smoke coming from the ITC tank farm. Subsequently, two other petitions were filed raising concerns about the level of benzene in spray sunscreens, spray antiperspirants, and other drug and cosmetic products. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She stopped along a highway median, opened her car door and threw up. "With possible catastrophic consequences if we failed.". Q: What is FDA doing to protect consumers from drugs contaminated with benzene? Adrian Garcia, a Harris County commissioner who represents Deer Park, said the county was "scrambling" to get current air quality data from the company or from federal and state agencies to inform their decisions. In a statement, the FDA wrote it continues to monitor the issue and work with companies to recall contaminated products. But before you rub on another coat of SPF 50, you might want to do some quick research on the brand that you've been using (in addition to checking its expiration date, ofc). The lawsuit also asks that the company pay for residents' future doctor visits and tests for cancer. Benzene is a chemical that is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. "I thought to myself, 'This is not a migraine - this is totally different,' " she said. The map shows benzene levels along the van's route. Consistent with the recommendations of the ICH Q3 guidance, manufacturers should not use benzene in the manufacture of drugs. US Environmental Protection Agency. Scientists at the indepenent analytical lab Valisure have found benzene in numerous consumer health and beauty product samples. But if you are concerned about benzene, you can limit your exposure in several ways . Short-term exposure to high levels of benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, unconsciousness, and death. Our partners at the Texas Tribune analyzed unreported air monitoring data from the ITC chemical fire. Valisure most frequently found benzene in body sprays, which includes deodorants and anti-perspirants: nearly half of the 108 products from 30 different brands contained it. Q: What should consumers know about drugs being recalled for benzene contamination? For short-term exposure to high levels of benzene, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting away from the source of benzene, removing any clothing that may have benzene on it, washing exposed areas with soap and water, and getting medical care as soon as possible. FDA is evaluating the root cause of benzene contamination in certain drugs and alerting drug manufacturers to the risk of benzene contamination from drug components and other potential risk factors. In late September, Coppertone also announced a recall of five of its popular sunscreens after detecting benzene. The TCEQ, for its part, has beefed up its ability to test for airborne chemicals, adding new air monitors in the ship channel area since 2019 and purchasing three new air monitoring vehicles. A 2010 analysis in the journal Environmental Health concluded that "exposure to benzene at work increases the risk of leukemia.". FDA has been in communication with USP about removing (or omitting) those carbomer monographs from their compendium since late 2020. But they kept working. After reaching a low of 498 U.S. dollars per metric ton, the global price of benzene has increased . Benzene is a hydrocarbon, which means it is an organic compound resulting solely from the elements carbon and hydrogen. "[He was] gasping for air in his sleep.". We can also help you find other free or low-cost resources available. This can help lower your exposure to exhaust fumes, which contain benzene (as well as other potentially harmful chemicals). Though the agency doesnt have exposure limits, it informs companies that solvents such as benzene should not be employed in the manufacture of drug substances, excipients, or drug products because of their unacceptable toxicity., Some companies have capitalized on the confusing regulations and gaps to downplay the problem. "Or, they still don't. Benzene is commonly found in air, but the levels in most places are usually very low. The .gov means its official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil and gasoline (and therefore motor vehicle exhaust), as well ascigarette smoke. As fire crews fought the last remnants of the fire, life in Deer Park returned to normal. Benzene. In small amounts over long periods of time, benzene can decrease the formation of blood cells. The fire prompted Deer Park officials to advise residents to shelter in place that Sunday. PDF Benzene - US EPA Benzene has been shown to cause chromosome changes in bone marrow cells in the lab. And now, Johnson & Johnson is voluntarily recalling five of its Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens some of which were mentioned in Valisure's report after their own internal testing found low levels of benzene in some samples of the products, according to a company press release. Robert Hemminger, Deer Park's emergency services director at the time, told the public that benzene emissions had "significantly reduced" since that morning. Benzene (C 6 H 6) is a highly flammable, colorless liquid that evaporates quickly into the air. Overview. Those who have purchased the products can request a refund by filling out a form online. Pharmaceutical Quality Resources, Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Development and Readiness Pilot (CDRP) Program, Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) Regulations, Questions and Answers on Quality-Related Controlled Correspondence, FDA alerts drug manufacturers to the risk of benzene contamination in certain drugs, Q3C Impurities: Residual Solvents guidance, Division of Pharmaceutical Quality Operations in the Office of Regulatory Affairs, Field Alert Report Submission: Questions and Answers Guidance for Industry, appropriate ORA Division Recall Coordinators, Field Alert Reports are required for ANDAs and NDAs with such findings for distributed drug products (21 CFR 314.81(b)(1)). Though spray-on sunscreen was found to be contaminated most frequently, the chemical was also detected in lotions and gels. He was checking the windsocks mounted around the plant and jotting down the direction of the wind to help the plant workers plan the best evacuation route - just in case. Castiel, Ochoa's now 8-year-old son, struggles with sinus infections. Costatini AS, et al. Spray sunblock and sun aftercare lotions. Still, the FDA lists benzene as a class one solvent, meaning that it should not be used in the manufacture of drug substances, excipients (substances added to drugs such as fillers or preservatives), and drug products, because "because of [it's] unacceptable toxicity" or "deleterious environmental effect." Rinsky RA, Smith AB, Hornung R, et al. The naming process for 2-chlorophenol (o-chlorophenol). Benzene: Can it cause leukemia? - Medical News Today Drug Safety and Availability, Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts, Information about Nitrosamine Impurities in Medications, Food and Drug Administration Overdose Prevention Framework, Medication Errors Related to CDER-Regulated Drug Products, Postmarket Drug Safety Information for Patients and Providers, Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies | REMS, Multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis and other infections, Frequently Asked Questions on Benzene Contamination in Drugs, FDA Recalls Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts, FDA updates on hand sanitizers consumers should not use, Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun, FDA alerts drug manufacturers to the risk of benzene contamination in certain drugs. Benzene, a known cancer-causing chemical, was found in over half of 108 batches of antiperspirant and deodorant body sprays from 30 different brands, according to a citizen's petition filed this . Medical professionals useseveral teststo determine whether you've been overexposed to benzene, each of which measures benzene levels in your blood, breath, or urine. An air quality report provided by CTEH shows that it did not not detect any concentrations of benzene above 1,000 parts per billion in Deer Park, Pasadena, Galena Park or Channelview on March 31, however, the report does not indicate at what time the readings were taken. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Global price of benzene 2017-2022. An official website of the United States government, : Then, their city. ITC's operational permit is up for renewal this year and some residents have raised safety concerns about the facility ahead of the permit renewal; a public hearing will be held in May. The contamination has been most frequently detected in aerosol or spray products, some at levels the Food and Drug Administration characterized as life-threatening. Mouton thanked first responders for their service. People are exposed mainly by breathing in air containing benzene. We note that if decisions to not release a drug product or to initiate a recall are likely to disrupt the drug supply, manufacturers should contact CDERs Drug Shortages Staff immediately at drugshortages@fda.hhs.gov.
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