08.16.21
Researchers from the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory (HEL) have called on the FDA to remove certain sunscreens from the market after the presence of a possible carcinogen (octocrylene) was discovered.
According to the letter from the group of researchers led by Craig Downs, octocrylene may degrade to benzophenone, a possible carcinogen which may also interfere with hormones such as estrogen.
Data from the researchers suggests that octocrylene stays in the human body at levels significantly higher than the level of concern for system toxicity. This level of concern was observed for up to six days after the chemical was absorbed into the body and could still be detected in blood for up to 10 days more.
In their petition, the researchers noted that octocrylene can be found in more than 2,300 SPF products, including those from Neutrogena, Coppertone and Supergoop.
On August 5, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that it had received the petition. FDA spokeswoman Courtney Rhodes told Bloomberg that the FDA "takes seriously any safety concerns raised about products we regulate, including sunscreen," adding that it "will continue to monitor the sunscreen marketplace to help ensure the availability of safe sunscreens for U.S. consumers."
Related Sunscreen Concerns
Earlier this year, multiple law firms filed class actions against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of purchasers of certain Aveeno and Neutrogena sunscreens that contained dangerous and unacceptable levels of benzene.
According to the letter from the group of researchers led by Craig Downs, octocrylene may degrade to benzophenone, a possible carcinogen which may also interfere with hormones such as estrogen.
Data from the researchers suggests that octocrylene stays in the human body at levels significantly higher than the level of concern for system toxicity. This level of concern was observed for up to six days after the chemical was absorbed into the body and could still be detected in blood for up to 10 days more.
In their petition, the researchers noted that octocrylene can be found in more than 2,300 SPF products, including those from Neutrogena, Coppertone and Supergoop.
On August 5, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that it had received the petition. FDA spokeswoman Courtney Rhodes told Bloomberg that the FDA "takes seriously any safety concerns raised about products we regulate, including sunscreen," adding that it "will continue to monitor the sunscreen marketplace to help ensure the availability of safe sunscreens for U.S. consumers."
Related Sunscreen Concerns
Earlier this year, multiple law firms filed class actions against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of purchasers of certain Aveeno and Neutrogena sunscreens that contained dangerous and unacceptable levels of benzene.
