Edgewell recalls aerosol sunscreens as Australian government issues safety warning

23 Dec 2021 --- Edgewell Personal Care Australia is recalling three of its Banana Boat SPF50+ sprays after they were found to contain benzene, a carcinogen. The recall came the same day the Australian Department of Health’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a cautionary warning against aerosol sunscreens with carcinogenic ingredients. 

“The TGA laboratories recently completed product testing, which detected benzene at concentrations between 2.3 ppm and 5.2 ppm in four batches of the above products supplied in Australia,” the TGA writes.

Recalled products
The contaminant was detected in four batches of Edgewell products supplied to Australia. Consumers should discard all batches with an expiry date of 31 January 2024 or earlier.

The three recalled Edgewell sunscreens are:

• Banana Boat Ultra Very High Protection Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+, AUST L 206508.
• Banana Boat Simply Protect Kids Very High Protection Sunscreen Lotion Spray SPF 50+, AUST L 311003.
• Banana Boat Dry Balance Very High Protection Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+, AUST L 342636.

Aerosols are less potent than traditional lotion sunscreens.The products have been removed from shelves. 

“Exposure to benzene in these sunscreen products, at the levels detected, would not be expected to cause serious adverse health effects. However, to reduce the risk to consumers, Edgewell Personal Care is recalling all batches of the affected products supplied within Australia,” explains the TGA.

Aerosols and contaminants
The TGA cautions consumers to be aware of the safety and efficacy of aerosol sunscreen products. According to the authority, the active ingredients in aerosol sunscreens are more diluted than in other sunscreen products. 

This is because ingredients must be mixed with propellants to achieve the aerosol effect. This indicates that aerosols may be less effective than sunscreen lotions. The government body implies that alternatives to aerosol sunscreen may be advisable. 

The TGA is currently conducting a compliance review for aerosol sunscreens on the Australian market. The institution also warns against carcinogenic contaminants such as benzene, often found in aerosol sunscreens. 

Benzene contamination
“Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, a substance that could potentially cause cancer depending on the level and extent of exposure. It is not an ingredient in sunscreens but is suspected to be a contaminant from raw materials used in the product’s manufacture,” the TGA says.

The chemical is thought to cause acute myeloid leukemia, according to the American Cancer Society. Exposure has also been linked to acute and chronicBenzene and benzophenone are noted to have carcinogenic qualities. lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 

The government body says it is still investigating the source of benzene in sunscreens. They state they use strict guidelines to ensure consumer safety.

“We use a very conservative approach to set limits for benzene and similar chemicals. They are calculated to ensure that an individuals’ excess cancer risk would not exceed 1:100,000 if that individual used the maximum recommended amount of the product every day for 70 years.”

Benzophenone impurities
Formulators should also take caution to avoid benzophenone, an endocrine disruptor that has been linked to liver hypertrophy in rats. 

The TGA has received reports of sunscreens containing the possible carcinogen from the US (where Edgewell’s Banana Boat sunscreens are manufactured). Specifically, the sunscreens were found to have octocrylene. 

While this ingredient is not harmful by itself, it often breaks down into benzophenone after formulation. 

Edited by Olivia Nelson