Multiple Hand Sanitizer Brands Contaminated With Benzene, Warns Lab

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Hand Sanitizer Benzene Contamination Overview: 

• Who: Hand sanitizer products remain under the microscope for benzene contamination following an investigation by Valisure.
• Why: Valisure asked the Food and Drug Administration in March to take action against hand sanitizer benzene contamination.
• Where: Hand sanitizers around the nation have been found to contain benzene.

Consumers who used hand sanitizer to help ward off germs during the pandemic may have been exposed to benzene, a cancer-causing chemical. 

Valisure, an independent analytical pharmacy, wrote a citizens petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March after it found benzene in hand sanitizers marketed and distributed by a number of companies. 

Brand names in the report include: 

• Artnaturals
• TrueWash
• PureLogic
• Natural Wunderz
• PURETIZE

The company has also found elevated levels of benzene in a number of aerosol products, including sunscreens, antiperspirants, and anti fungal sprays. 

Valisure’s citizens petition implored the FDA to take action against hand sanitizers containing benzene, which the company says can cause humans to develop leukemia. 

“The toxicity of benzene has been known for over 120 years. It’s directly linked with causing leukemia in humans. It’s a group one carcinogen, it’s at the top of the FDA list of chemicals not to use in manufacturing,” David Light, CEO of the Valisure lab, told NBC News. 

Hand Sanitizer Recall Issued, Lab Wants More

Artnaturals announced near the end of October that it would begin a voluntary recall of a certain number of its hand sanitizers allegedly contaminated with benzene, reports NBC News. The company continues to deny the contamination claims, however. 

Valisure, meanwhile, asked the FDA in March to recall the batches of hand sanitizer it found to contain benzene and to investigate the manufacturing processes with which they were made. 

In particular, the company asked the FDA to “investigate issues of contamination and issues of hand sanitizer product formulation that is inconsistent with FDA guidance intended to restrict ingredients that could increase the risk of accidental ingestion by children.” 

Valisure also asked the FDA to review and update its current guidance on hand sanitizers, provide information to the public about the issue, and support quality testing programs in the U.S.

“Relying on industry self-reporting of analytical results is not sufficient protection from potentially dangerous contamination,” the company wrote. “A proactive drive for broad, independent testing should be combined with decisive action on the part of regulators to quickly request recalls and take other actions as appropriate.” 

A consumer referenced Valisure while filing a class action lawsuit against Procter & Gamble earlier this month, alleging the company violated federal law by withholding that its Old Spice and Secret antiperspirant products contain benzene. 

Valisure was also referenced in a class action lawsuit filed against Johnson & Johnson last month by a consumer who claims the company failed to warn consumers that some of its Neutrogena brand sunscreens contained benzene. 

Did you use a hand sanitizer that may contain benzene? Consider signing up to start a class action lawsuit! 

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