The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a recall of dry shampoos sold by major companies due to the products containing a carcinogenic compound called benzene that is linked to cancer, including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow.

"Benzene is an organic chemical compound that has been determined to be a known carcinogen, according to the CDC," one report explains. "High levels of exposure to benzene can lead to various health consequences, including cancer reproductive problems."

"Benzene is not an ingredient that is used to make dry shampoo, instead, it appears in products as the result of a chemical reaction that may occur in aerosol cans, which is why a number of spray deodorants and sunscreens have also been recalled for containing detectable levels of benzene."

Technically first announced in October 2022, the recall affects the following dry shampoo brands, use of which the federal agency says could cause potentially life-threatening blood disorders:

Dove

Nexxus

Suave

TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head)

TRESemmé

"The recall is due to the presence of benzene in the propellant of the aerosol cans, not in the actual shampoo product," the recall states. "The propellant is responsible for propelling the shampoo out of the can."

According to the FDA, exposure to benzene is linked to a wide range of symptoms that include:

Dizziness

Headaches

Fatigue

Nausea

Pale skin

Shortness of breath

Vomiting

Anyone who currently has in possession dry shampoos from the aforementioned companies is urged to stop using them and to dispose of them immediately.

"You should also check your cabinets for any other products that may be affected by the recall," the agency says.

How to minimize exposure to benzene

Unfortunately, dry shampoos are not the only products out there that may contain toxic benzene. You and your family could be exposing yourself to it unnecessarily, which is why it is advised to take the following precautions:

1) Avoid using any dry shampoos that come in aerosol cans.

2) Use only dry shampoos that are dispensed using alternative propellants.

3) Always wear protective clothing and gloves when using dry shampoos.

4) Avoid inhaling any of the spray.

5) Only use dry shampoos in a well-ventilated area.

EOnline.com also published a list of benzene-free dry shampoo alternatives that include:

1) K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo

2) Verb Dry Shampoo Powder

3) Geologie Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner

4) I Dew Care Dry Shampoo Powder

5) Handmade Heroes Non Aerosol Dry Shampoo Volume Powder

6) Kristin Ess Hair Fragrance Free Dry Shampoo Powder

7) Billie Floof Dry Shampoo

8) Acure Dry Shampoo

9) Act + Acre Fulvic Acid Volumizing Dry Shampoo

10) Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-Powder Dry Shampoo Powder

Keep in mind that we have not verified all of the other ingredients in these 10 benzene-free dry shampoo options, so be sure to do your due diligence using resources like the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) consumer guide, which contains information about the safety and toxicity of a wide range of consumer products.

"Benzene is heavily utilized in gasoline production," someone noted on X about another common source of benzene exposure.

"Yes, it's quite dangerous," responded Dr. Kristie Leong, M.D. "It doesn't take a large amount to suppress the bone marrow."

"This is the result of corporate greed," suggested another about the dry shampoo benzene scandal.

Source:
courtesy of BBC NEWS

by Ethan Huff

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