Benzene Contaminated Sunscreen Recall Lawsuits
In 2021, several companies recalled aerosol sunscreen after finding cancer-causing benzene in samples. Popular brands like Neutrogena and Aveeno made by Johnson & Johnson and Coppertone, owned by Beiersdorf, issued voluntary recalls of thousands of sunscreen products.
Benzene is a human carcinogen known to cause blood cancer. People who used sunscreen with benzene and developed cancer might be able to hold the manufacturer liable.
At Alonso Krangle, LLP, our lawyers are reviewing claims for individuals and families injured by recalled sunscreen. If you were diagnosed with blood cancer after using sunscreen products containing benzene, you might be entitled to collect compensation.
Call our sunscreen recall lawyers today to schedule your free consultation and find out if you can file a claim against the manufacturer of dangerous sunscreen.
Valisure Finds Benzene Prompting Johnson & Johnson Sunscreen Recall
In July 2021, Johnson & Johnson issued a voluntary recall of sunscreen after independent testing by Valisure uncovered nearly 80 sunscreen products (made by various companies) with the human carcinogen benzene. Not all of them have been recalled.
Valisure detected benzene levels above two parts per million in some products. There were also items with benzene levels ranging from 0.1 to 2 parts per million. Using sunscreen with a concentration of 0.1 parts per million or less can cause serious health problems.
According to Valisure, no sunscreen products contained or listed benzene as an active ingredient. How did benzene get into the recalled sunscreen products? It’s not unreasonable to conclude that the sunscreen was somehow contaminated.
After Valisure released its findings and out of concern for the health and safety of its customers, Johnson & Johnson recalled the following aerosol sunscreen products:
- Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen
- Neutrogena Sunscreen Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant Sunscreen SPF 70
- Neutrogena Beach Defense Spray Body Sunscreen SPF 50
- Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Water-Resistant Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
- Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Water-Resistant Sunscreen Spray SPF 70
- Neutrogena Sunscreen Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Face Sunscreen SPF 50
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
- Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Body Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60+
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Weightless Sunscreen Spray SPF 100+
- Neutrogena Sunscreen Beach Defense Oil-Free Body Sunscreen Spray SPF 100
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Weightless Sunscreen Spray SPF 70
If you haven’t already done so, stop using these products immediately. They might contain the known human carcinogen benzene, which can cause adverse health conditions, including cancer. There are plenty of sunscreen products that do not contain this dangerous chemical, and you can speak to your doctor about safe sunscreen.
If you used these recalled Neutrogena or Aveeno sunscreen products and suffered injuries, speak to our lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP, and find out if you might be entitled to seek compensation from Johnson & Johnson.
Coppertone Sunscreen Recall
Coppertone also issued a voluntary recall of some of its aerosol sunscreen products after finding the known human carcinogen benzene in tested samples. Coppertone’s nationwide recall involves specific lots of popular sunscreen brands used by kids, babies, and adults.
- Coppertone recalled specific lots of the following sunscreens:
- Coppertone Pure Simple Baby SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
- Coppertone Pure Simple Baby SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
- Coppertone Pure Simple Kids SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
- Coppertone Pure Simple Kids SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
- Coppertone Sport Mineral SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
- Coppertone Sport Mineral SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
- Coppertone Pure Simple SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
- Coppertone Pure Simple Baby SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
- Coppertone Pure, simple Kids SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
- Coppertone Travel Size Sport Spray SPF 50 1.6OZ 24S
- Coppertone Pure Simple SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
- Coppertone Pure Simple Kids SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
For information on the specific lots that are part of the Coppertone recall, you can find the company recall notice on the website of the Food and Drug Administration here – https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/coppertoner-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-specific-lots-pure-simple-spf-50-spray-2021-launch.
If you have been using one of the recalled products, stop immediately and speak to your doctor about alternative sunscreens that do not contain benzene. If you developed cancer after using one of these products, call our lawyers to find out if you can seek compensation from Coppertone.
Benzene Exposure is Dangerous to Humans
Benzene is a chemical solvent that is supposed to be avoided in the manufacture of drug products and cosmetics. You can find benzene naturally in crude oil, but it is widely used as an industrial chemical.
For many individuals, benzene is used in their workplace, so they wear protective equipment and follow occupational safety protocols to minimize the dangers of this cancer-causing chemical.
Exposure to benzene can occur in different ways. You can inhale benzene, ingest it, or as with sunscreen ingredients, absorb it through the skin.
Research shows that benzene is carcinogenic to humans. It damages your blood cells.
Benzene exposure increases your risk of several life-threatening blood cancer and bone marrow cancer, including:
- Acute lymphocytic lymphoma
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia
- AML-acute myeloid leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Other leukemia
- Other lymphomas
If you have been using benzene-contaminated sunscreen and were diagnosed with a serious illness, especially cancer, you might be able to file a legal claim and collect compensation.
What Are Some Symptoms of Benzene Exposure?
How benzene causes damage and the severity of the sickness that results often depends on the length of time you are exposed, the amount of benzene to which you are exposed, and the type of exposure.
Symptoms of benzene contamination can range from dizziness, tremors, and nausea to anemia, confusion, and irregular menstruation. If you have experienced some of these symptoms, they could be warning signs of exposure to benzene.
Symptoms of blood cancers like leukemia can include:
- sudden, unexplained weight loss
- swollen lymph nodes
- fatigue
- nose bleeds
- persistent fever
- bone pain
- infections
- easy bruising or bleeding
- enlarged liver
- enlarged spleen
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, seek medical attention. If you have been exposed to recalled sunscreen products containing benzene, let your doctor know.
Consumers Are Filing Lawsuits Against Johnson & Johnson
Lawsuits are already being filed against Johnson & Johnson by consumers who have been exposed to benzene and claim to have suffered injuries.
A class-action lawsuit has been filed in the Southern District of Florida, alleging that the company has broken state and federal regulations by failing to disclose the presence of benzene in its sunscreens.
Another class action suit has been filed in the Northern District of California on behalf of individuals who have used contaminated sunscreens, seeking an injunction and compensation.
It is likely that consumers will pursue legal remedies against Coppertone, owned by Beiersdorf as well. Allegations might include:
- Failing to warn of the health risks of using recalled sunscreen
- Selling products with unsafe levels of benzene
- Marketing sunscreen as safe
- Knowing these products were defective and potentially cancer-causing
What Compensation Can You Collect in a Recalled Sunscreen Lawsuit?
If you have a valid claim, you might be entitled to substantial compensation. Our lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP, can help you collect the maximum amount of damages allowed by law. If you developed cancer from benzene contaminated sunscreen, damages from your recalled sunscreen lawsuit can include:
- medical bills related to your diagnosis and treatment
- lost wages lost income because of your illness
- lost future income because your illness prevents you from working
- pain and suffering
Sunscreen manufacturers have a responsibility to consumers to warn them of harmful chemicals in their sunscreen brands. They owe it to consumers to tell them that their aerosol spray sunscreens might cause blood cancer or other adverse health consequences.
Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, For a Free Evaluation of Your Contaminated Sunscreen Claim
If you used any of the multiple sunscreen products that were part of the Johnson & Johnson Neutrogena Aveeno or Coppertone recalls, you might be able to file a claim against the manufacturer of these dangerous products. Let our lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP evaluate your claim and determine if you qualify for compensation.
Call our sunscreen cancer lawyers today at 800-403-6191 to schedule a free case evaluation and find out if you can seek legal remedies from the makers of contaminated sunscreen.