In 2022, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety alert about the dangers of benzene in consumer products. “Benzene is a known human carcinogen that causes leukemia and other blood disorders,” the agency noted, making it especially alarming that a recent lab report found unsafe levels of benzene in a number of acne treatments with benzoyl peroxide.
Benzoyl peroxide in acne products may degrade into benzene, potentially impacting a number of popular acne treatments currently on the market. This is troubling because high levels of benzene exposure can lead to major health issues. If you or a loved one was injured after using these products, you may be able to pursue legal action.
According to the FDA, “In small amounts over long periods of time, benzene can decrease the formation of blood cells. Long-term exposure to benzene through inhalation, oral intake, and skin absorption may result in cancers such as leukemia and other blood disorders.”
Indeed, benzene is a carcinogen that may cause blood cancers including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), as well as other severe health effects.
Prolonged exposure to benzene poses significant health risks. Recent findings that some acne products may contain benzoyl peroxide that degrades to benzene under normal use have serious implications, and individuals harmed by benzene-contaminated benzoyl peroxide products may have grounds for a lawsuit.
Valisure, an independent testing lab, executed extensive testing on benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products and found that, “On-market BPO products can form over 800 times the conditionally restricted FDA concentration limit of 2 parts per million (ppm) for benzene, and the current evidence suggests that this problem applies broadly to BPO products currently on the market.”
According to Dermatology Times, affected products include the following:
Acne product manufacturers continue to sell products made with benzoyl peroxide despite the FDA’s 2022 safety alert – later updated in December 2023 – and despite the findings of independent laboratory studies.
By continuing to market and sell acne treatment products without warning customers that the products may contain unsafe levels of benzene, these companies may be risking the health and safety of their consumers. It’s possible for the companies behind the products to be held liable for this alleged inaction.
Victims of benzene exposure from benzoyl peroxide in acne products may be entitled to compensation for:
The team at Phillips Law Group can help you if you or your loved ones have been affected by this issue or a similar defective or dangerous product situation.
Our firm has been fighting for victims of negligence and dangerous products for nearly 30 years and we have obtained over $1 billion in compensation for our clients in that time. Phillips Law Group has a record of success and is a trusted voice in the Arizona community.
Please don’t hesitate to call us if you believe you may have a benzol peroxide degradation in acne products case. We can walk you through your legal options in a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation where we discuss your personal circumstances and see what we can do to help you today.
Contact us by calling 602-222-2222 to learn more now. Our team is standing by to work with you today, and we look forward to advocating for your rights.
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