Look around your home, you likely have many cleaning products, paint, glue, food, sunscreen, and maybe some art supplies. What is the common denominator?
Benzene.
Hundreds of everyday items often considered harmless can contain benzene or have been produced through processes involving it. The risks associated with benzene exposure differ across various industries, but the reality is that thousands of individuals have been adversely affected. In the most extreme cases, this exposure can result in a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), highlighting the hidden dangers lurking within seemingly innocuous products.
Benzene, a known carcinogen, is a colorless or light-yellow liquid chemical at room temperature. It is primarily used as a chemical solvent and in the pharmaceutical industry as a starting material or as part of the intermediate synthesis process for numerous chemicals. Benzene is also found in gasoline. It can be found naturally but is also produced by man-made processes and is a natural component of crude oil, which is currently the primary source of benzene produced. It also is a natural emission from volcanoes and forest fires.
Lab tests have confirmed that hand sanitizers, sunscreens, deodorants, dry shampoos, conditioners, antiperspirants, body sprays, and antifungal treatments contain benzene. It has been most frequently detected in aerosol or spray products, some of which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed “life-threatening.” Further research has suggested that benzene contamination is far-reaching and likely in more products that haven’t been tested yet.
Global brands Procter & Gamble, Bayer, CVS, and Johnson & Johnson have issued voluntary recalls for widely distributed brands, including Brut, Sure, Pantene, Herbal Essences, Old Spice, Secret, Tinactin, Lotrimin, Coppertone, Neutrogena, and Aveeno. Art Naturals, Best Brands, and Natural Wunderz are among the recalled hand sanitizer brands.
Research has shown that benzene is a highly toxic chemical with no known safe level of exposure. In addition, further studies have shown that even trace amounts of benzene can pose a significant risk to human health and cause the following:
Even though the U.S. banned benzene as an ingredient over 45 years ago, it still causes problems today. Many have pointed to the FDA and criticized its lack of action and failure to do more to protect the public. Advocates are calling on the FDA to clarify existing benzene limits, set better exposure limits, and conduct internal tests to determine safety instead of leaving it to independent labs.
Federal rules allow benzene to be used in the manufacture of personal care products, and due to cross-contamination, it can end up in goods, even if it’s not listed as an ingredient. There is an exception where benzene can be added in emergency situations, such as the pandemic, or if it provides significant therapeutic advantages. The FDA has limited its presence to two parts per million in these scenarios. However, some products that do not fall under the emergency situation have been found to have levels as high as 21 ppm.
Benzene exposure primarily occurs through the inhalation of contaminated air. This can happen in various settings, including workplaces where benzene is used or produced, areas near gas stations or industrial facilities that release benzene emissions, and even within homes that contain products that off-gas benzene, such as certain paints, glues, and cleaning agents. Benzene can also enter the body through ingestion of contaminated food or water, although this is less common. Skin contact with benzene can also lead to absorption, but this is generally a minor route of exposure compared to inhalation.
Workers in a wide range of industries that produce or use benzene are exposed to the highest levels of the chemical. These industries may include:
Exposure to benzene can occur in many different ways, notably through inhalation, skin absorption, and ingestion. Workers in the following industries may be exposed to benzene through breathing contaminated air, skin contact with benzene-containing liquids or solids, or accidental ingestion:
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) starts in the bone marrow and quickly moves into the blood. It can spread to other body parts, including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, central nervous system, and testicles. AML is also known as acute myelocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, and acute non-lymphocytic leukemia.
General signs and symptoms of AML:
(It should be noted that these are not just symptoms of AML and are most often caused by something other than leukemia.)
Symptoms of low red blood cell counts (anemia):
Symptoms from low white blood cell counts:
Symptoms from low blood platelet counts:
Symptoms caused by high numbers of leukemia cells:
Cancer cells in AML (called blasts) are larger than normal white blood cells and have trouble navigating through tiny blood vessels. Leukostasis is when the blast counts get too high; they can clog up blood vessels and make it difficult for normal blood and oxygen to flow. This is a medical emergency and needs to be treated immediately.
Other symptoms include:
Symptoms of leukemia cells spreading to other organs, specifically the brain and spinal cord:
If you have been exposed or think you’ve been exposed to benzene and experience any of the symptoms above, please see your primary care physician immediately.
