In small amounts over long periods of time, benzene can decrease the formation of blood cells. If you feel like there's been a lot of concerning sunscreen news lately, you're not imagining it. The .gov means its official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. One Harris County official estimated that all together, more than 400 personnel took air samples throughout the response. As officials declared victory, Mario Ochoa's mother could hardly breathe. In a written statement, Pablo Sanchez-Soria, a senior toxicologist at CTEH, said that using short time frames to measure benzene levels - in this case one minute in the community - help officials "take early action" to reduce human exposure. Benzene has been shown to cause chromosome changes in bone marrow cells in the lab. "Anytime you see any kind of black smoke out there, it's not good," he said. Some states may have lower limits. Ji Z, et al. Scientists at the indepenent analytical lab Valisure have found benzene in numerous consumer health and beauty product samples. But when an incident occurs at a facility like ITC that's located in an unincorporated area of the county, deciding who has jurisdiction can be complicated. Robert Hemminger, Deer Park's emergency services director at the time, told the public that benzene emissions had "significantly reduced" since that morning. The most frequent symptoms were headache, throat irritation, nausea, coughing, dizziness and vomiting. He said they needed the money. Avoid skin contact with gasoline. 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. Valisure most frequently found benzene in body sprays, which includes deodorants and anti-perspirants: nearly half of the 108 products from 30 different brands contained it. Benzene: What to Know - WebMD CAS 71-43-2. It's also found in all fossil fuels, and anytime you burn anything from a wood-burning fire to a candle you are exposed to benzene.". How benzene is landing in products remains a bit of a mystery in some instances. 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. Benzene is commonly found in air, but the levels in most places are usually very low. Harris County is also using a $1 million grant from the American Chemistry Council to create a new guide for emergency response to chemical disasters. Adrian Garcia, a Harris County commissioner who represents Deer Park, said the county was "scrambling" to get current air quality data from the company or from federal and state agencies to inform their decisions. More about sun protection and sunscreens can be found on the FDA website. It is used primarily as a solvent in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as a starting material and an intermediate in the synthesis of numerous chemicals, and in gasoline. The FDAs system really lacks independent review because it relies on companies to self report, Light said. Benzene | Medical Management Guidelines | Toxic Substance Portal | ATSDR Together, were making a difference and you can, too. Benzene has a sweet aromatic odor. Characteristic 1 H NMR Absorptions of Aromatic Compounds. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. PDF Benzene - US EPA The formation of benzene from benzoate can lead to an increase in benzene content over a drug's shelf-life' and should be considered when determining the appropriate timing for benzene testing . : 601-020-00-8 CAS-No. Almost 1,000 people swarmed to temporary mobile health clinics in Deer Park that operated for three days after the fire started, and Texas Poison Center Network records show its hotline received almost 200 calls reporting chemical exposure from the ITC fire over a more than two-week period. Climbing benzene concentrations near the facility led the EPA and TCEQ to send inspectors into Deer Park, where they found benzene was drifting through neighborhoods near where Eddie Guevara and his family of five live. FDA reminds manufacturers of NDA and ANDA products of their obligation to submit a Field Alert Report (FAR) if testing reveals their drug products contain benzene above 2 ppm (21 CFR 314.81(b)(1)(ii)). This contamination is a public health concern and has caused significant outcry among environmental and health advocates. As the fire at ITC spread from tank to tank, an ominous black plume of smoke spiraled over the Houston skyline. Johnson & Johnson didn't disclose exactly how much benzene was found in its sunscreens, but the company stated in its press release that "based on exposure modeling and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) framework, 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." Drug manufacturers are required to ensure the safety and quality of their drugs. The report found that health effects from benzene "were not expected to have occurred" due to the "short" amount of time high levels were detected. The benzene molecule is composed of six carbon atoms joined in a planar ring with one hydrogen atom attached to each. Search, Browse Law In the Wynfield Estates neighborhood, where many of the homes are two-story red brick and shaded by big oak trees, Anthony Guevara, Eddie's 14-year-old brother, didn't go to school that Monday because his eyes were burning and his throat stung. But what Ochoa and other residents weren't told by federal, state and local officials at the time was that long after the fire was extinguished and life seemed to go back to normal, an invisible danger remained. Ochoa said he and his fellow workers were indeed concerned. Long-term exposure to benzene mainly harms the bone marrow, the soft, inner parts of bones where new blood cells are made. Benzene is a carcinogenic substance that is present in a great number of modern products and industries. FDA continues to monitor the issue of benzene in drugs and is proactively working with companies, when appropriate, to recall products and encourage retailers to remove products from store shelves and online marketplaces when quality issues arise. "Benzene really shouldn't be there at all," he said. Because it is volatile, it can spread to a distant source of ignition. Rodney Reed, an assistant chief at Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, said that each city, as well as multiple county agencies, have the authority to issue shelter-in-place advisories. Integrated Risk Information System: Benzene (CASRN 71-43-2). Paxton's office sued the company in 2019, but the case hasn't moved forward since 2021, according to Travis County District Court records. This includes testing of raw materials and finished product batches (21 CFR 211.165) prior to release to ensure they meet appropriate specifications for identity, strength, quality, and purity. "That kind of turmoil is haunting," said Ochoa, who is now 43. FDA evaluates and assesses the information provided in citizen petitions of this type and, if appropriate, initiates an independent testing and verification process. Soon, the smoke blanketed their home. "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. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done. On March 31, two weeks after the ITC fire erupted into flames, the EPA mobile lab was still driving around Deer Park, testing the air. Provides assistance and information about the management of occupational exposures to benzene. Benzene emissions spiked to abnormally high and potentially dangerous levels for more than two weeks after nearby residents were told it was safe to return to school and work, according to a Texas Tribune analysis of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air-monitoring data. By the next morning, the fire had spread to five additional tanks at the ITC facility, according to TCEQ and city of Deer Park records. It is not known if benzene exposure affects fertility in men. ", "Benzene is associated with cancer usually after long durations (decades) of exposure," DSHS spokesperson Lara Anton said in a statement. "Do you have anything that you can cover up with?" Independent lab found the chemical in more than a quarter of items it tested sometimes at levels considered life threatening. Harris County produced an analysis of what went wrong during the response. These include the rubber industry, oil refineries, chemical plants, shoe manufacturers, and gasoline-related industries. Benzene overexposure is linked to the development of the following symptoms: drowsiness, dizziness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness. Though the agency doesnt have exposure limits, it informs companies that solvents such as benzene should not be employed in the manufacture of drug substances, excipients, or drug products because of their unacceptable toxicity., Some companies have capitalized on the confusing regulations and gaps to downplay the problem. 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. Accessed at https://publications.iarc.fr/123 on January 25, 2023. The county has created a community air response monitoring program, expanded staffing and purchased more disaster response equipment, said Dimetra Hamilton, a Harris County Pollution Control spokesperson. People can also be exposed to benzene in contaminated drinking water and some foods (although the levels are usually very low). People are exposed mainly by breathing in air containing benzene. These results support the finding of an excess risk of leukemia in humans. This can result in: There is also some evidence that long-term exposure to benzene might harm reproductive organs. Long-term . Then, you should speak with a toxic torts lawyer. Then, their city. Benzene is an organic chemical compound with the molecular formula C 6 H 6. On May 25, the company released a report after testing 294 sunscreens and sun aftercare products and found 78 of them contained benzene, a known carcinogen that has been linked to harmful effects in humans such as cancer and other serious medical conditions. Then, Unified Command notified local authorities. IARC classifies benzene as carcinogenic to humans, based on sufficient evidence that it causes acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Whether you or someone you love has cancer, knowing what to expect can help you cope. But the EPA's air monitoring bus continued detecting elevated levels of benzene as it drove through the industrial areas lining the Houston Ship Channel early that week, the Tribune's analysis shows. She could taste the smoke; she had the distinct sense that the smell would stick to her all-black attire and linger in her firmly pressed curly hair. Toxic benzene has been found in antiperspirants, shampoos, sunscreens, hand sanitizers, and other products. keys to navigate, use enter to select, Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. "After the fire fight was over, that's when the benzene issues began to rear their ugly head," said Royall, the former assistant chief of Harris County Fire Marshal's Office. If any drug product batches with benzene above 2 ppm are already in distribution, the manufacturer should contact FDA to discuss the voluntary initiation of a recall by contacting the appropriate Division of Pharmaceutical Quality Operations in the Office of Regulatory Affairs. She then watched as the smoke plume settled above the mourning family during the funeral service. "I was watching him and knowing, he doesn't even realize he's suffocating," he said. If you have been injured, it's in your best interests to seek immediate medical treatment. The chatty little boy - who told a doctor that his breathing problems felt like "bugs getting in my nose, like little tiny worms" clogging his nostrils and lungs - is now wary of playing outside at playgrounds, his father says. If any readings crossed that threshold, Adams said the agencies would notify local officials and the public. Manufacturers should not use benzene in the manufacture of drugs. New Engl J Med. Some residents still blame the incident for lingering health problems. "It was like watching your son drown right in front of you," Ochoa said. Learn more about FindLaws newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. Some of these mono-substituted compounds (labeled in red and green), such as phenol or toluene, can be used in place of benzene for the chemical's base name. Provides references that aid in recognizing hazards and the health effects associated with benzene in the workplace. TCEQ's stationary air monitor indicates that benzene concentrations in Deer Park had reduced to more typical levels by the late afternoon. Levels of benzene can be higher in enclosed spaces with unventilated fumes from gasoline, glues, solvents, paints, and art supplies. That Monday afternoon, the same day as the press conference, the bus recorded three benzene spikes well above 1,000 parts per billion across the street from the ITC facility between 4 and 4:30 p.m. On Tuesday, EPA and TCEQ officials held another press conference and said that they had "no notifications of air monitoring results" above 1,000 parts per billion. BENZENE | Occupational Safety and Health Administration If benzene touches the skin, it can result in redness and blisters. Regardless of your skin type, skin tone, or ethnicity, sunscreen should still be a top priority for you year-round. Below are some of the resources we provide. FDA reminds drug manufacturers they are required to establish scientifically sound and appropriate specifications and test procedures to assure drug components (active and inactive ingredients) and finished drug products conform to appropriate quality specifications (21 CFR 211.84, 21 CFR 211.160). At room temperature, benzene is a colorless, or pale yellow, liquid with a . In its December statement, TPC Hot Acquisition, which owns Brut and Sure, wrote: To date, no reports of adverse events related to this recall have been reported. The city also released a statement that day to its residents: "We did not receive any readings above actionable levels over the weekend," it said, citing data from CTEH, the company the city and ITC had contracted to conduct air monitoring. You can help reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices like eating right, staying active and not smoking. FDA recommends consumers do not use products that are being recalled or those hand sanitizers FDA recommends consumers should not use. TheInternational Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). Ochoa said he asked whether his symptoms were related to the chemical fire. Shonkoff, the environmental health sciences researcher at UC Berkeley, called the levels of benzene recorded by the EPA's air monitoring that day "crazy" and "very high. The highest levels of exposure typically have been in the workplace, although high-level exposures have decreased greatly over the last several decades due to federal and state regulations. "I would definitely say that [people nearby] have an increased risk," said Zhang. The highest benzene levels among the dry shampoos were found in a popular brand called Not Your Mother's, which touts its "clean, quality ingredients." Other brands found to have elevated . We note that certain United States Pharmacopeia National Formulary (USP-NF) carbomer monographs allow for levels of benzene of 100 ppm or greater. Before noon Thursday - after a little under eight hours - the city of Deer Park lifted the shelter-in-place advisory. Among those with the highest levels were Neutrogena, CVS, Sun Bum, Raw Elements and Banana Boat. Can a new law help? ", "They are striking concentrations of benzene," Shonkoff said. US Environmental Protection Agency. We are going through that process with each of these citizen petitions. What were seeing is a fundamental problem in the manufacturing of a lot of consumer products. To date, Valisure has tested 662 items and found the chemical in 180, or about 27%, of products. However, when a class one solvent (such as benzene) is "unavoidable in order to produce a drug product," it should be limited to concentrations of 2 parts per million (ppm). In 2020, the city created its own benzene guidelines that are far lower than what was used during the ITC incident: The guidelines say officials should consider a shelter-in-place advisory if benzene levels exceed 72 parts per billion over one hour and evacuations if the level hits 200 parts per billion for an hour. Advocates took aim at the Food and Drug Administration for failing to do more to protect the public. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed air monitoring data from the incident and found that the concentrations of benzene exceeded what the agency considers safe - but did not believe they were high enough to cause widespread cases of cancer. Spray sunblock and sun aftercare lotions. Weve invested more than $5 billion in cancer research since 1946, all to find more and better treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients quality of life. What is Benzene? - Uses, Structure & Formula - Study.com The capability of superhalogen induced ionization of benzene molecules has been reported based on ab initio calculations. The American Cancer Society looks to these organizations to evaluate the risks based on the available evidence. "We didn't want to alarm the public needlessly," Hemminger said. FDA alerts drug manufacturers to the risk of benzene contamination Though spray-on sunscreen was found to be contaminated most frequently, the chemical was also detected in lotions and gels. Still, the company decided to recall those five varieties of aerosol sunscreens "out of an abundance of caution," according to the press release. The formation of benzene from benzoate can lead to an increase in benzene content over a drugs shelf-life and should be considered when determining the appropriate timing for benzene testing, e.g., testing at release and on stability (21 CFR 211.165, 211.166), and establishment of an appropriate expiration date (21 CFR 211.137). Benzene is highly volatile and exposure occurs mostly through inhalation. Costatini AS, et al. Federal rules allow benzene to be used in the manufacture of personal care products, and that can cause it to end up in goods, even if its not listed as an ingredient. But those warnings didn't always come. He added that the city verified high benzene readings with multiple sources before deciding whether to tell residents to go inside. Our partners at the Texas Tribune analyzed unreported air monitoring data from the ITC chemical fire. Rinsky RA, Smith AB, Hornung R, et al. 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. Cancer Information, Answers, and Hope. "It was a missed opportunity because [the data from the EPA's mobile lab] could've been used to inform some of the public health decisions, but it doesn't seem like it was.". County health providers screened more than 900 people and referred the worst cases to local hospitals. In particular, FDA has also discussed with manufacturers the need for a special focus on ingredients that are hydrocarbons or are manufactured with benzene or other hydrocarbons. Benzene in soft drinks - Wikipedia Deodorant and antiperspirant recall: What the finding of the - CNN Dr. Shamban and Dr. Chadha both agree that mineral sunscreens (which will include titanium dioxide or zinc oxide in the ingredient list) are great options if you feel iffy about using chemical formulas. The highest levels were found in Sure, Old Spice, Secret, Equate, Right Guard, Tag and Brut. They reopened state Highway 225, which borders the cluster of petrochemical plants and is residents' main route to drive into Houston for work. Places Where Benzene May Be Found. Benzene anhydrous, 99.8 71-43-2 - Sigma-Aldrich 15 Sunscreens Without Benzene and the Recall List - InStyle The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team. Benzene: Can it cause leukemia? - Medical News Today This information will help inform further updates to FDAs approach to limiting benzene levels in drug products, as appropriate. FDA continues to monitor the quality of drugs and, when appropriate, encourages retailers to remove products from store shelves and online marketplaces when issues arise. Castiel, Ochoa's now 8-year-old son, struggles with sinus infections. (The bone marrow is where new blood cells are made.) Among the recalled hand sanitizer brands are Art Naturals, Best Brands and Natural Wunderz. And now, Johnson & Johnson is voluntarily recalling five of its Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens some of which were mentioned in Valisure's report after their own internal testing found low levels of benzene in some samples of the products, according to a company press release. Several US government agencies regulate benzene levels and exposures. More than 800 students returned for classes at the elementary school the next morning. Light pointed to decades of research that has found no safe levels of benzene exposure because its so toxic at very low levels. Workers may be harmed from exposure to benzene. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. As Martyn Smith, a professor of toxicology and the Kenneth Howard and Marjorie Witherspoon Kaiser Endowed Chair in Cancer Epidemiology at University of California at Berkeley, explained to the Washington Post, "It's the building block for many chemicals in our world, including many drugs like aspirin and other things. The symptoms of acute benzene toxicity will show up anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours after exposure. 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. The TCEQ, for its part, has beefed up its ability to test for airborne chemicals, adding new air monitors in the ship channel area since 2019 and purchasing three new air monitoring vehicles. As a result, there are strict controls on benzene emissions. Benzene is a potentially dangerous chemical. Valisures hand sanitizer analysis found the highest levels of benzene in small brands that popped up as demand for the product spiked. 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). 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 . A: FDA has been working with companies to address benzene issues in drugs prior to March 2021, including through recalls. she asks family and coworkers whenever she spots what might be dangerous. On July 15, Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled and is advising consumers to stop using five of its Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol spray sunscreens after benzene was detected in samples. The doctors said they didn't know. In the end, officials decided that Deer Park and ITC would lead response efforts. 15.4: Spectral Characteristics of the Benzene Ring In many cases, Valisure found one batch of a product would contain benzene while another of the same product would not. Benzene dissolves only slightly in water and will float on top of water. In a December statement, the agency said it was investigating the situation, doing its own testing and urged companies to recall contaminated products. A: FDA has alerted drug manufacturers to the risk of benzene contamination from drug components and other potential risk factors. PDF Benzene - US EPA As one of the most commonly-made chemicals in the United States, benzene is often used to make many other chemicals. What is benzene, exactly? But she added that it would be difficult to determine for sure. The toxin has also been shown to harm the central nervous system and reproductive organs. Benzene, a Carcinogen Led to Sunscreen Recalls - Health 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. (. Here you'll find in-depth information on specific cancer types including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options. Research. Their study, commissioned by the Houston Health Department, is awaiting peer review.