A new study has found potentially worrying levels of benzene in several dry shampoo products.
Benzene is a chemical that causes cancer in humans.
The research was conducted by independent laboratory Valisure finding “potentially elevated levels” of benzene in a number of aerosol products.
This comes after another study found people who use hair straightening chemicals have a higher risk of womb cancer.
Benzene is said to cause cells to not work properly.
Examples include causing bone marrow to not produce enough red blood cells or causing damage to a person’s immune system by changing blood levels of antibodies, which results in the loss of white blood cells.
What is benzene?
“Benzene is a colourless, flammable liquid with a sweet odour,” explains the American Cancer Society.
The health site continued: “It evaporates quickly when exposed to air.
“Benzene is known to cause cancer, based on evidence from studies in both people and lab animals.
“The link between benzene and cancer has largely focused on leukaemia and other cancers of blood cells.”
Signs you've been exposed to benzene
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signs you’ve been exposed to benzene include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Headache
- Tremors
- Confusion.
In the study, Valisure tested 148 products from 34 hair brands.
Valisure SEO David Light said in a statement: “The detection of high levels of benzene in dry shampoos should be cause for significant concern since these products are likely used indoors, where benzene may linger and be inhaled for prolonged periods of time."
He added: “These and other issues identified by Valisure, including the detection of benzene in body spray, hand sanitiser, and sunscreen products, strongly underscore the importance of independent testing and its need to be better integrated into an increasingly complex and vulnerable global supply chain.”
The Food and Drug Administration has previously strongly warned about products containing benzene, further warning anything with more than two parts per million (ppm) is not allowed in a product in the US.
There are no comparable stipulations in the UK.
According to the study, a total of 11 brands have products with more than 2ppm of benzene in them.
Valisure submitted a citizen petition to recall some of these products that do not abide by the guidelines, and to update regulations to further limit the selling of these dry shampoos.
An FDA citizen petition is a process provided by the FDA for individuals and community organisations to make requests to the FDA for changes to health policy.
The list of products highlighted in the petition includes:
- Dove Dry Shampoo Volume and Fullness
- Dove Dry Shampoo Fresh Coconut
- Dove Dry Shampoo Fresh and Floral
- Dove Dry Shampoo Ultra Clean
- Dove Dry Shampoo Invisible
- Dove Dry Shampoo Detox and Purify
- Dove Dry Shampoo Clarifying Charcoal
- Dove Dry Shampoo Go Active
- Nexxus Dry Shampoo Refreshing Mist
- Nexxus Inergy Foam Shampoo
- Suave Dry Shampoo Hair Refresher
- Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Refresh and Revive
- Tresemme Dry Shampoo Volumizing
- Tresemme Dry Shampoo Fresh and Clean
- Tresemme Pro Pure Dry Shampoo
- Bed Head Oh Bee Hive Dry Shampoo
- Bed Head Oh Bee Hive Volumizing Dry Shampoo
- Bed Head Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo
- Bed Head Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo.
The Mirror has approached Unilever for comment.
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