Lawsuits have been filed after many popular sunscreens tested positive for high levels of benzene, a carcinogenic chemical that is linked to cancer, leukemia, and other side effects.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting sunscreen induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with cancer or other side effects of benzene in sunscreen from Coppertone, Johnson & Johnson, Neutrogena, Aveeno, CVS, or other brands, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: Banana Boat Expands Recall
In January 2023, Edgewell Personal Care expanded a recall for Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray Sunscreen SPF 30 due to benzene contamination. The expanded recall now includes the following Lot Codes: 20016AF, 20084BF, 21139AF, and 20301CF, which can be found on the bottom of the can.
Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray Recall
In July 2022, three batches of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray (SPF 30) were recalled after tests found “trace levels of benzene” in the products.
The recall only involves 6-oz. spray containers of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray (SPF 30) with three lot codes, which are printed on the bottom of the can:
- Lot Code 20016AF — Expiration December 2022
- Lot Code 20084BF — Expiration February 2023
- Lot Code 21139AF — April 2024
Coppertone Recalls Spray Sunscreen for Benzene Cancer Risk
On September 30, 2021, Coppertone recalled 5 types of Coppertone sunscreen sprays that were manufactured between January 10 and June 15, 2021 due to benzene in the products. The recall notice warns:
“Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene can occur through inhalation, oral, and skin and it could, depending on the level and extent of exposure, result in an increased risk of cancers including leukemia, and blood cancer of the bone marrow and other blood disorders which can be life-threatening.”
The specific products in the recall are:
- Coppertone Pure & Simple SPF 50 5.0 oz aerosol sunscreen spray
- (Lot# TN00CJ4, Lot# TN00BR2)
- Coppertone Pure & Simple Kids SPF 50 5.0 oz aerosol sunscreen spray
- (Lot# TN00857, Lot# TN00CJV, Lot# TN00854, Lot# TN00855)
- Coppertone Pure & Simple Baby SPF 50 5.0 oz aerosol sunscreen spray
- (Lot# TN009GH, Lot# TN0083K, Lot# TN0083J)
- Coppertone Sport Mineral SPF 50 5.0 oz aerosol sunscreen spray
- (Lot# TN008KU, Lot# TN008KV)
- Travel-size Coppertone Sport Spray SPF 50 1.6 oz aerosol sunscreen spray
- (Lot# TN00BU3)
Another Cancer-Causing Chemical Found in 2,400 Sunscreens
In August 2021, researchers demanded recalls for more potentially carcinogenic sunscreens. They warned that 2,400 sunscreens are made with octocrylene, which is a chemical that may contain benzophenone, a suspected cancer-causing chemical.
Tests found benzophenone in the following sunscreens, and more:
- Beiersdorf AG’s Coppertone Water Babies spray
- Edgewell Personal Care Co.’s Banana Boat SPF 50 lotion
- Neutrogena Beach Defense spray and lotion from Johnson & Johnson
- And more
Johnson & Johnson and CVS Recall 7 Sunscreens and Aloe Vera for Benzene
In July 2021, Johnson & Johnson recalled 5 spray sunscreens and CVS recalled two after-sun aloe vera products due to benzene, including:
- NEUTROGENA® Beach Defense® aerosol sunscreen
- NEUTROGENA® Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen
- NEUTROGENA® Invisible Daily™ defense aerosol sunscreen
- NEUTROGENA® Ultra Sheer® aerosol sunscreen
- AVEENO® Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen
- CVS Health® After Sun Aloe Vera
- CVS Health® After Sun Aloe Vera Spray
What is the problem?
Sunscreen is supposed to prevent cancer, but dozens of sunscreens have been found to contain benzene, a toxic chemical that is known to cause cancer. Benzene can be absorbed through the skin of a person who uses a contaminated sunscreen spray, lotion, gel, or aloe vera product.
Lab Finds Benzene in 78 Sunscreens and After-Sun Products
In May 2021, an alarming analysis by the independent lab Valisure found benzene in at least 78 sunscreens and sun-care products, including spray sunscreens, lotions, gels, and aloe vera products.
Valisure found that 27% of samples contained benzene. Some batches had 3-times the restricted FDA concentration limit of benzene.
Valisure demanded recalls for 40 products with the highest levels of benzene, including:
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Weightless Sunscreen Spray (SPF 100+ and SPF 70+)
- Sun Bum Cool Down Gel
- Neutrogena Beach Defense Oil-Free Body Sunscreen Spray SPF 100+
- Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Body Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60+
- Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Water-Resistant Sunscreen Spray SPF 70
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30, SPF 45 Spray
- Neutrogena Beach Defense Spray Body Sunscreen SPF 50
- CVS Health After-Sun Aloe Vera Soothing Spray
- CVS Health After-Sun Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel
- SunBurnt Advanced After-Sun Gel
- Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel
- Banana Boat Kids Max Protect & Play Sunscreen C-Spray, SPF 100
- Banana Boat UltraMist Deep Tanning Dry Oil Continuous Clear Spray SPF 4
- Banana Boat Ultra Sport Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 100
- EltaMD UV Aero Broad-Spectrum Fully-Body Sunscreen Spray, SPF 45
- Raw Elements Eco Formula Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
- Goodsense Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
- TopCare Everyday Ultimate Sheer Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70
- And more
What is Benzene?
Benzene is an industrial chemical that is known to cause cancer. It is not an ingredient that is added to sunscreen, but it has been found in some sunscreens due to manufacturing problems. People can also be exposed to benzene in gasoline fumes, auto exhaust, glue, solvents, paints, cigarette smoke, and more.
Benzene Sunscreen Lawsuits
Johnson & Johnson has been slammed with multiple class action lawsuits in federal courts in New York, California and other states after recalling 5 sunscreen spray products due to benzene contamination.
In July 2021, plaintiffs asked federal judges to centralize the lawsuits in a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District for the District of New Jersey.
What Types of Cancers Are Linked to Benzene?
Benzene is an industrial chemical that has been associated with the development of several fatal forms of cancer, leukemia and other
- Leukemia
- Blood cancers of the bone marrow
- Blood disorders
- AML
- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL)
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDL)
- Myelofibrosis and Myeloid Metaplasia
- Aplastic Anemia
- Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- And more
Do I have a Sunscreen Benzene Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting sunscreen induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with cancer or other side effects of benzene in sunscreen, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
