What all this means to you as a sunscreen user: If the sunscreen you have is on this list or was one of the recalled Johnson & Johnson products, Dr. Chadha recommends that you throw it out immediately and switch to a sunscreen that's not on the list to get your UVA and UVB protection. They cant reliably show how much benzene youve been exposed to, nor can they predict possible health effects. Rapid or irregular heartbeat. Search, Browse Law On the heels of the report, Johnson & Johnson is recalling five of its sunscreens. Integrated Risk Information System: Benzene (CASRN 71-43-2). During this time, FDA has also been working with companies on multiple recalls related to the identification of unacceptable levels of benzene in drugs. The .gov means its official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. "My soul remembers. But the description of the compounds in Aromatic 200 does not fit that of benzene, said Raynor, the University of Minnesota professor. The International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Q3C Impurities: Residual Solvents guidance and companion document Q3C Tables and List provide guidance on limited cases where the presence of benzene may be tolerated. "What we're seeing is a fundamental problem in the manufacturing of a lot of consumer products." To date, Valisure has tested 662 . Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Benzene evaporates into the air very quickly. To eliminate confusion and because of the safety concerns associated with these unacceptable levels of benzene, FDA has asked USP to remove (or omit) these monographs from their compendium. Name undefined. Our team is made up of doctors andoncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing. When inhaled in large quantities over a short period, benzene can affect the central nervous system and cause symptoms including dizziness, a rapid heart rate and headaches. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "I'm a single father, I had to work," Ochoa said. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. It's the dead of summer, so chances are you've been putting your sunscreen stash to good use. Breathing in high doses of benzene can affect the nervous system, which can lead to drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, tremors, confusion, and/or unconsciousness. This contamination is a public health concern and has caused significant outcry among environmental and health advocates. He took his son to the hospital the next morning. Places Where Benzene May Be Found. Independent lab found the chemical in more than a quarter of items it tested sometimes at levels considered life threatening. By 4 a.m. Thursday, TCEQ inspectors found benzene emissions exceeding 1,200 parts per billion had wafted across Highway 225 and into Deer Park. The site is secure. For example, the report said Harris County Pollution Control, which has a special team to respond to fires involving hazardous materials and other chemical incidents, had meager staffing and "antiquated" or out-of-service equipment during the 2019 fire. That's when he first saw the smoke coming from the ITC tank farm. 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 van captured benzene levels spiking to more than 1,000 parts per billion by volume on several days during its monitoring. ", Benzene pollution lingers as life returns to normal - March 25-29, 2019. Avoid skin contact with gasoline. Therefore, no evaluation of cancer risk posed by exposure to benzene from this event was carried out.". Companies claim they arent adding it to their formulas, and the FDA theorized that its probably in contaminated thickening agents, preservatives, spray propellant or ethanol. The doctors said they didn't know. 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 . "We care a lot. TheEPA classifies benzene as a known human carcinogen. Bob Royall, then-assistant chief for the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, said it was one of the longest fires that he had battled in his almost five-decade career. FDA is evaluating the root cause of benzene contamination and has alerted companies to the risk of benzene contamination in drug products and reminded them of their obligation to ensure their products meet appropriate quality specifications. Several school administrators who worked for the district in 2019 did not recall being informed about high levels of benzene near the elementary school on March 31, Matt Lucas, director of communications for Deer Park ISD, said in an email. Protons on carbons directly bonded to an aromatic ring, called benzylic protons, show up about 2.0-3.0 PPM. "ITC cares," she said, as her eyes filled with tears. The email address cannot be subscribed. Ochoa said he and his fellow workers were indeed concerned. Deer Park resident Eddie Guevara, 19, was working a Sunday shift at a chemical plant in La Porte, a town just east of Deer Park, the day the ITC fire broke out. A low blood platelet count, which can lead to excess bruising and bleeding. "Sufficiently protective values must be balanced against the inherent risk associated with actions such as evacuation.". Ochoa said he asked whether his symptoms were related to the chemical fire. A: FDA is committed to ensuring drugs Americans use are safe and effective. American Cancer Society medical information is copyrightedmaterial. "We don't know the source of the benzene, but it could relate to how a particular ingredient was manufactured, where it was sourced, or how it moved through the supply chain," Tod Cooperman, M.D., wrote in a review of the Valisure report for ConsumberLab.com. Benzene is an aromatic compound emitted by crude oil. First responders transitioned from firefighting to frantically spraying the ruptured tanks with enormous amounts of industrial firefighting foam, hoping to create a blanket to tamp down emissions. Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq. Manufacturers should also be prepared to provide FDA with test results and any information available on the potential source of the benzene to assist in FDAs analysis. When working at potentially higher exposure levels, OSHA requires employers to provide personal protective equipment such as respirators. Toxic benzene has been found in antiperspirants, shampoos, sunscreens, hand sanitizers, and other products. Concurrently, the agency will review any Field Alert Reports from drug manufacturers that identify the presence of benzene, in addition to other available information. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. 2012. ", "They are striking concentrations of benzene," Shonkoff said. "That kind of turmoil is haunting," said Ochoa, who is now 43. It wasn't the first sign of trouble: Around 11:30 p.m. the night before, a neighboring industrial facility near ITC reported "high benzene detections" and said one of its workers was vomiting and being sent to a hospital, Unified Command records show. As one of the most commonly-made chemicals in the United States, benzene is often used to make many other chemicals. Toxic burn pits put the health of US veterans at risk. : 71-43-2 1.2 Relevant identified uses of the substance or mixture and uses advised against Identified uses : Laboratory chemicals, Synthesis of substances 1.3 Details of the supplier of the safety data sheet Company : Sigma-Aldrich Inc. benzene (C6H6), simplest organic, aromatic hydrocarbon and parent compound of numerous important aromatic compounds. Several national and international agencies study substances in the environment to determine if they can cause cancer. But this doesn't mean you should stop wearing sunscreen altogether. Many, like Ochoa, say they are still scarred by the experience. Extrapolated across the state as a whole, the benzene leakage from gas appliances is the equivalent of adding 60,000 passenger cars to the roadventing their exhaust directly into your kitchen. Durant, the EPA spokesperson, characterized such spikes as "instantaneous" measurements in industrial areas that would not have prompted notification to local officials. Can a new law help? It evaporates quickly when exposed to air. This is personal.". Benzene is produced by both natural and man-made processes. Scientists at the indepenent analytical lab Valisure have found benzene in numerous consumer health and beauty product samples. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. If benzene touches the skin, it can result in redness and blisters. Characteristic 1 H NMR Absorptions of Aromatic Compounds. Benzene dissolves only slightly in water and will float on top of water. He smelled smoke and began to experience pounding headaches. "We didn't want to alarm the public needlessly," Hemminger said. Manufacturers of NDA and ANDA drug products whose testing reveals their drug products contain benzene below 2 ppm should contact FDA at CDER-benzene@fda.hhs.gov. Rinsky RA, Smith AB, Hornung R, et al. That day - four days after the ITC fire began - the EPA finally deployed its air monitoring bus, the rolling lab that could sample the air while it drove. A: The health consequences of benzene exposure depend on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as age and preexisting medical conditions. Benzene is made from coal and petroleum sources and is present in gasoline. FDA has been in communication with USP about removing (or omitting) those carbomer monographs from their compendium since late 2020. This alert has resulted in, among other things, several recent recalls of drugs containing unacceptable levels of benzene. The attorney general's office did not respond to requests for an interview. The most frequent symptoms were headache, throat irritation, nausea, coughing, dizziness and vomiting. Contact us. "Benzene is linked to blood cancers such as leukemia and other cancers and conditions like [acute lymphoblastic leukemia], [chronic myelogenous leukemia], Non Hodgkins lymphoma, and aplastic anemia," adds Dr. Chadha. That Sunday morning, it drove through an invisible cloud of benzene - logging a reading above 1,000 parts per billion near San Jacinto Elementary School. Facts About Benzene. The lab, Valisure, last year detected benzene in hand sanitizers, sunscreens, deodorant, dry shampoos, conditioners, antiperspirants, deodorants, body sprays and anti-fungal treatments. Those workplace standards, he added, were a compromise between now-outdated benzene science and the economic impact on businesses. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency responsible for health and safety regulations in most workplaces. Texas' health agency similarly concluded that although benzene is a carcinogen, exposure during the incident "is not expected to increase people's risk of cancer. It is harmful to the eyes, skin, airway, nervous system, and lungs. It might not be possible to avoid benzene completely. Benzene has been shown to cause chromosome changes in bone marrow cells in the lab. (The bone marrow is where new blood cells are made.) A: Benzene is a chemical used in the production of a wide range of industrial products, including chemicals, dyes, detergents, and some plastics.Benzene is released into the . As FDA works to better understand the potential sources of benzene in drugs, FDA reminds manufacturers of drugs marketed under approved applications and manufacturers of other drugs, including over-the-counter monograph drug products, of their obligation to ensure their products conform to appropriate quality specifications. Then, you should speak with a toxic torts lawyer. The federal, state and local officials who formed a "Unified Command" near the ITC facility after the fire erupted had to choose a threshold on the spot because there's no accepted national standard for how much benzene in the air should be considered dangerous. At the ITC tank farm, the fire was out, but a new danger emerged. At one area hospital, a pair of medics who were helping respond to the fire were evaluated for benzene exposure that day, records show. "So you can trust that if it's 1,000 parts per billion we will let you know.". "You don't know what you are inhaling or putting in your body," Anthony Guevara said. In small amounts over long periods of time, benzene can decrease the formation of blood cells. A few days into the crisis, officials from the EPA, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Deer Park had to make a crucial decision: How much benzene in the air is too much for people to breathe? The site is secure. As for the Johnson & Johnson recall? 1987;52:3446034578. Benzene is commonly found in air, but the levels in most places are usually very low. Residents didn't learn of the high benzene levels until a 10 a.m. press conference on Monday, when Adams, the federal on-scene coordinator for the EPA, said there was a benzene spike that weekend above the action level "in the community" - he didn't say where - and added that the agency notified local officials. Either way, read through the list of sunscreens found to contain benzene and toss yours if it made the list or it is one of the recalled Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens. Still, the state renewed the chemical permit for ITC's Deer Park facility less than a year after the fire. Mary Ann Conteras, a 58-year-old assistant director at Rosewood Funeral Home, noticed the black dust accumulating on her van's windshield as she drove flowers to a Pasadena cemetery seven miles from the ITC facility. Exposures to benzene are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry, maritime, and construction. Athlete . Garcia, the Harris County commissioner, said it felt like "pulling teeth" to get information about air quality. . Some local officials now say more should've been done to communicate with the public when air quality worsened - and they're working on changing their protocols. : 601-020-00-8 CAS-No. 95(1):8-12, January-February 2009. Volume 100F: Chemical Agents and Related Occupations. These kinds of sunscreens are only one element of a skin-cancer prevention strategy that should also include other sun protective behaviors such as wearing protective clothing that adequately covers the arms, torso, and legs; wearing sunglasses and a hat that provides adequate shade to the whole head; and seeking shade whenever possible during periods of peak sunlight. For example, sunshine can cause chemical reactions that transform the pollution into smog, strong winds can quickly dissipate the pollutants and samples taken near highways could also detect pollution from vehicles. The companys statement was posted by the FDA on its website even though agency scientists found in a July analysis obtained by Consumer Reports that benzene-contaminated sunscreen did pose a life-threatening risk. Please try again. Some devices, including the EPA's air monitoring bus, were not deployed until days after the fire broke out. In the past it was also commonly used as an industrial solvent (a substance that can dissolve or extract other substances) and as a gasoline additive, but these uses have been greatly reduced in recent decades. Meanwhile, residents, news reports and meteorologists anxiously tracked the black smoke plume that snaked over the Houston area. When more foam was applied, he added, the benzene levels would drop. At room temperature, benzene is a colorless, or pale yellow, liquid with a . All rights reserved. Some experts who study benzene said the spikes that wafted through Deer Park and the surrounding areas over that two and a half week period could increase residents' risk of cancer, but others said it was unlikely. Ten of the tanks - each big enough to hold more than 3 million gallons of chemicals - collapsed, sending chemicals gushing into the nearby ship channel and killing birds and fish. A massive 2005 explosion at a BP refinery in Texas City, about 35 miles to the south next to Galveston Bay, killed 15 workers and injured nearly 200 others. Drug manufacturers with a risk for benzene contamination should test their drugs accordingly and should not release any drug product batch that contains benzene above 2 ppm, consistent with the recommendations described in the ICH Q3C guidance. Tax ID Number: 13-1788491. A 1997 explosion at Shell Oil Co. injured several workers and sent residents scurrying to shelter in their homes. Guevara, who has worked in industrial plants since he was a teenager, called his dad and his brother, Anthony, to warn his family of the smoke approaching their orange brick, two-story house located just four miles from ITC. Is the FDA serving these companies or the public? Andrews asked. The capability of superhalogen induced ionization of benzene molecules has been reported based on ab initio calculations. "I'm very proud to stand here as mayor and recognize all of the officials and volunteers who waited in line to take their turn to fight for our community," Mouton said. Then another tank collapsed. Benzene is used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents, pesticides, and other chemicals. Since at least 2002, EPA and TCEQ inspectors had reported high emissions of benzene and other chemicals from that same area. Because it contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms, benzene is classed as a hydrocarbon. Motoring down East 13th Street, the van passed brick houses, a United Methodist Church and an elementary school with a playground nestled in the shade of tall, skinny pine trees. 2003. Air toxics include benzene and other hydrocarbons such as 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and naphthalene. But Adams said the EPA concluded that the high levels did not last long enough in the area to prompt action. Final Rule. She then watched as the smoke plume settled above the mourning family during the funeral service. Exposure to benzene liquid or vapor can irritate the skin, eyes, and throat. The city of Deer Park and ITC contracted with a company called CTEH to conduct hand-held air monitoring. Benzene drifted for miles through the community. Sun safety is important for everyone and all skin colors, and consumers can reduce risks from sun exposure with continued use of sun protection measures, including sunscreen. Research. Occupational exposure to benzene. With exposures from less than five years to more than 30 years, individuals have developed, and died from, leukemia. 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. An analysis of air quality data from a TCEQ's stationary Deer Park monitor southwest of City Hall shows that benzene emissions had risen early that morning to 61 parts per billion in an hour. Note that 2-chlorophenol = o-chlorophenol. Accessed at https://iris.epa.gov/ChemicalLanding/&substance_nmbr=276 on January 25, 2023. The Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT) rules reduce hazardous air pollutants, also known as air toxics, emitted by cars and trucks. The TCEQ referred the ITC case to Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose office typically handles major industrial accidents. By Wednesday afternoon, four days after the ITC plant ignited, federal, state and local officials hosted a press conference to announce the fire was finally out. FDA intends to issue guidance for manufacturers on recommended test methods and appropriate steps for manufacturers needing to modify their formulation or manufacturing process for a legally marketed drug product. Benzene is a component of products derived from coal and petroleum and is found in gasoline and other fuels. If you believe that you have been exposed to benzene beyond acceptable limits, please consider speaking with a qualified personal injury attorney to help determine the strength of your claim. Cars zoomed past her. SPF and Sun Protection Myths to Stop Believing, Stat, The 11 Best Sunscreens for Your Face, According to Customer Reviews, The Best Zinc Oxide Sunscreens That Won't Make You Feel Greasy, Dry Shampoo from Dove, Suave, and More Brands Recalled Due to Benzene, Banana Boat Recalled a Sunscreen Spray Due to Benzene Here's What You Need to Know, A New Study Found the Carcinogen Benzene In 59 Popular Deodorant and Antiperspirant Sprays, High Levels of BPA Were Found In Sports Bras and Athletic Shirts from Popular Brands, What to Know About the Thinx Period Underwear Lawsuit, The FDA Is Proposing New Guidelines for Sunscreen That Could Change What You See On Shelves, These Cacao Health Benefits Are Sure to Blow Your Mind, The 2022 Shape Beauty Awards: The Best Skin-Care, Hair, Makeup, and Body Products to Buy, Procter and Gamble Issued a Recall On Dry Shampoos Due to Benzene, Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin That Offers Protection Without the Irritation, Frequent Use of Chemical Hair Straighteners May Increase Risk of Uterine Cancer Here's What You Need to Know, These Spirulina Benefits Will Make a Splash, I'm an SPF Newbie, But This Supergoop Sunscreen Is Already My Favorite, These Beauty Products Still Use Formaldehyde Here's Why You Should Care, find the full list on page 12 of the report here, Neutrogena Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen, Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen, one of the recalled Neutrogena and Aveeno. "There have been multiple reports of community members experiencing a range of symptoms from discomfort to difficulty breathing," an email message from the school district to parents said that morning. After reaching a low of 498 U.S. dollars per metric ton, the global price of benzene has increased . "[He was] gasping for air in his sleep.". "These concentrations are higher than we would normally consider protective," Richard Nickle, an environmental health scientist at the CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, said in an April 2019 email to Harris County officials. Cancer.org is provided courtesy of the Leo and Gloria Rosen family. "That almost killed some firefighters," Royall said. Levels of benzene can be higher in enclosed spaces with unventilated fumes from gasoline, glues, solvents, paints, and art supplies. The manufacturer should also be prepared to share with FDA the methods used and any available information on the potential source of the benzene to assist with FDAs analysis. One Harris County official estimated that all together, more than 400 personnel took air samples throughout the response. Protons directly attached to an aromatic ring, commonly called aryl protons, show up about 6.5-8.0 PPM. If any readings crossed that threshold, Adams said the agencies would notify local officials and the public. Costatini AS, et al. Manufacturers of nonapplication products, including over-the-counter monograph drug products, should contact FDA using the information in the table below when testing reveals benzene in a product. 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. 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 . The guidance notes that if benzene use is unavoidable to produce a drug product with a significant therapeutic advance, then its levels should be restricted to 2 parts per million (ppm), unless otherwise justified. Schools canceled classes again, this time for one day. Accessed at https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp on January 25, 2023. International Agency for Research on Cancer. In a statement, the FDA wrote it continues to monitor the issue and work with companies to recall contaminated products. "It just imploded on itself and went down in a matter of seconds. They could smell the chemicals in the air. A: Benzene is a chemical used in the production of a wide range of industrial products, including chemicals, dyes, detergents, and some plastics.
Sarah Lawrence College Athletic Director,
Lapeer County Press Obituaries 2021,
Nils Lofgren First Wife,
How To Get A Social Worker Assigned To You,
Articles B