According to an announcement published by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) on July 14, 2021, Johnson & Johnson has just issued a recall of Neutrogena and Aveeno Aerosolized Sunscreen Products. The recall was triggered by internal testing which identified benzene contamination in the following products (if you have any of these products in your home, stop using them and discard them right away):

• Neutrogena Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen;
  
• Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen;
  
• Neutrogena Invisible Daily defense aerosol sunscreen;
  
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer aerosol sunscreen; and
  
• Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen.
  

In this article, we will explain the dangers and hazards associated with Benzene, which certainly should not be found in sunscreen products.

At the Law Office of Alvin F. de Levie, Esq., our affiliate attorneys with whom we work specialize in litigation involving serious injury and death caused by benzene exposure. Our affiliates have decades of experience handling benzene cases throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and throughout the United States. They have fought zealously time and time again to see these cases through to significant verdicts and settlements.

What Exactly Is Benzene and Why is it so Dangerous?

Benzene is a dangerous, highly toxic, sweet smelling, colorless and extremely flammable liquid used in the production of gasoline, industrial solvents, plastics, detergents, pesticides, dyes, rubber, lubricants and other such products.

Long-term exposure to Benzene can cause serious damage to the brain, liver, heart, kidney, lungs and other organs. It is notorious for damaging bone marrow and can even cause damage to your DNA. Long-term exposure to Benzene has been linked to several serious and fatal conditions, such as:

• Several types of leukemia, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia;
• Aplastic anemia;
  
• Bone marrow abnormalities and failure;
  
• Reproductive problems, especially in women;
  
• Immune system damage; and
  
• Myleodysplastic Syndrome.
  

Benzene is extremely toxic to humans. There are numerous regulations and laws which aim to protect those working in occupations which pose a high risk of benzene exposure. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has limited the amount of benzene which can be in the air to 1 part of benzene per 1 million parts of air (1ppm). However, even continued exposure to low doses of benzene can cause serious health problems. In a 1948 report, the American Petroleum Institute declared "it is generally considered that the only absolutely safe concentration for benzene is zero.”

So, while Johnson & Johnson claims daily exposure to the levels of benzene found in its sunscreen products is likely too little to cause a problem, it is well known that even short-term exposure can cause a variety of serious health problems, such as:

• Fatigue;
• Concussion;
• Drowsiness;
• Dizziness;
• Headaches;
• Unconsciousness; and
• Irregular or increased heart rate.

What Should YOU do if a Loved One or Friend Suffered Health Problems or Died as a Result of Benzene Exposure?

YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY.

These cases often require extensive, urgent and experienced investigation to ensure critical evidence is preserved and properly tested and analyzed by experts familiar with many scientific concepts ranging from chemical structures to the DNA. You need an attorney who has the experience and resources to investigate your case so key data is preserved, and to bring in competent experts to prove your case.

At the Law Office of Alvin F. de Levie, Esq., our affiliate attorneys have decades of experience representing individuals and families devastated by exposure to benzene. Our affiliate attorneys have handled benzene cases throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and throughout the United States that have resulted in significant verdicts and settlements. If you or someone you know have been harmed or died as a result of benzene exposure, please call our firm – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – at 844-777-2529 (Toll Free) or (215) 696-3900 for a consultation. One of our team members will be in immediate contact with you. We maintain offices throughout Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, State College and Bellefonte. We are willing to meet our clients anywhere.