Johnson & Johnson are recalling five sunscreens aerosol products due to the discovery of trace amounts of benzene, a carcinogen, in certain samples.
The company tells consumers to stop using the affected canisters, including the aerosol sunscreen products from Aveeno and Neutrogena. The callback covers all sizes and SPF levels distributed across the country.
The specific products being recalled are:
- Neutrogena Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen
- Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen
- Neutrogena Invisible Daily defense aerosol sunscreen
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer aerosol sunscreen
- Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen.
SPF sunscreens do not include benzene. The company stated that it is investigating how the chemical got into some samples.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long-term exposure to high quantities of benzene can lead to leukemia or other cancers.
“Daily exposure to benzene in these aerosol sunscreen products at the levels detected in our testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences,” Johnson & Johnson said in its statement. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are recalling all lots of these specific aerosol sunscreen products.”
The company advised customers to stop using these sunscreens immediately, dispose of them, and replace them with other sun protection.
