The public was not warned the entire day. Scientists at the indepenent analytical lab Valisure have found benzene in numerous consumer health and beauty product samples. Athlete . Harris County Pollution Control Executive Director Latrice Babin said in an interview that telling citizens to shelter in place is "a really hard call to make," noting that even when high levels of chemicals are recorded, interpreting air quality testing also depends on weather conditions and location. Benzene and Cancer Risk | American Cancer Society Synonyms: Benzene. We note that certain United States Pharmacopeia National Formulary (USP-NF) carbomer monographs allow for levels of benzene of 100 ppm or greater. 15 Sunscreens Without Benzene and the Recall List - InStyle CTEH is known as an industry-friendly environmental consulting firm and is frequently hired by companies during chemical emergencies. In 2020, the city created its own benzene guidelines that are far lower than what was used during the ITC incident: The guidelines say officials should consider a shelter-in-place advisory if benzene levels exceed 72 parts per billion over one hour and evacuations if the level hits 200 parts per billion for an hour. ", Benzene pollution lingers as life returns to normal - March 25-29, 2019. To be clear, benzene isn't an ingredient intentionally included in any of the Johnson & Johnson products or the ones on Valisure's list; the products were found to be contaminated with benzene. What is Benzene? - Uses, Structure & Formula - Study.com Which sunscreens were found to contain benzene? More about sun protection and sunscreens can be found on the FDA website. He said they needed the money. Valisure is now petitioning for the Food and Drug Administration to recall the products on its list. Q: What is benzene? You can help reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices like eating right, staying active and not smoking. : 71-43-2 1.2 Relevant identified uses of the substance or mixture and uses advised against Identified uses : Laboratory chemicals, Synthesis of substances 1.3 Details of the supplier of the safety data sheet Company : Sigma-Aldrich Inc. Some states may have lower limits. But she added that it would be difficult to determine for sure. Benzene is highly volatile and exposure occurs mostly through inhalation. These tests can only detect recent exposures to benzene. Benzene drifts into Deer Park, but residents aren't warned - March 31, 2019. Accessed at https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp on January 25, 2023. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Benzene Gas Detector Market Share by 2030 - MarketWatch "I'm a single father, I had to work," Ochoa said. Still, the FDA lists benzene as a class one solvent, meaning that it should not be used in the manufacture of drug substances, excipients (substances added to drugs such as fillers or preservatives), and drug products, because "because of [it's] unacceptable toxicity" or "deleterious environmental effect." While scientists have found that years of repeated exposure to benzene causes cancer, the long-term impact of being exposed to brief but high levels of benzene is less certain. The Tribune's analysis shows that benzene levels continued to spike close to, but not surpassing, 1,000 parts per billion for the rest of that Sunday morning in residential areas of Deer Park. ", Fire rages as residents fall ill - March 17-19, 2019. Adrian Garcia, a Harris County commissioner who represents Deer Park, said the county was "scrambling" to get current air quality data from the company or from federal and state agencies to inform their decisions. FDA continues to monitor the quality of drugs and, when appropriate, encourages retailers to remove products from store shelves and online marketplaces when issues arise. The air monitoring "seems like a waste" if the public wasn't immediately told about the danger, said Craft, one of the authors of the study that concluded that more shelter-in-place advisories and air quality warnings should have been issued during the ITC disaster. TheUS National Toxicology Program (NTP)is an interagency program that includes the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some local officials now say more should've been done to communicate with the public when air quality worsened - and they're working on changing their protocols. The highest benzene levels among the dry shampoos were found in a popular brand called Not Your Mother's, which touts its "clean, quality ingredients." Other brands found to have elevated . But the foam ripped apart with each big gust of wind and quickly dissolved on the hot chemicals like whipped cream melting on hot coffee. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. A: While benzene is not usually used in the manufacture of drugs, the contamination may be related to inactive ingredients in drugs such as carbomers (thickening agents), isobutane (a spray propellant), or other drug components made from hydrocarbons (chemicals made of hydrogen and carbon). The products include the five-ounce cans o Copperton Pure & Simple SPF 50, Coppertone Pure & Simple Kids SPF 50, Coppertone Pure & Simple Baby SPF 50, Coppertone Sport Mineral SPF 50, according to the Today Show, in addition to the 1.6-ounce can of Coppertone Sport Spray SPF 50. The formation of benzene from benzoate can lead to an increase in benzene content over a drugs shelf-life and should be considered when determining the appropriate timing for benzene testing, e.g., testing at release and on stability (21 CFR 211.165, 211.166), and establishment of an appropriate expiration date (21 CFR 211.137). The highest levels were found in Sure, Old Spice, Secret, Equate, Right Guard, Tag and Brut. He took his son to the hospital the next morning. Locals say they love their community - where block after block of single-family homes are surrounded by lush yards - because it's quiet, safe and has great schools. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. However, its nearly impossible to legally prove that one specific chemical has caused an illness, and Andrews noted benzene has a latency period of 10 to 15 years. Benzene can be measured in the blood or breath, and breakdown products of benzene can be measured in urine. Or, they came too late for residents to take action. Q: Why did FDA not immediately alert manufacturers to the potential of benzene in drugs if this was a concern brought to FDA in March 2021? Deer Park said in a statement later that day that the city was obtaining "normal levels" of air pollutants. No shelter-in-place advisory was issued for Channelview residents. On March 31, two weeks after the ITC fire erupted into flames, the EPA mobile lab was still driving around Deer Park, testing the air. Pump gas carefully and use gas stations with vapor recovery systems that capture the fumes. In a December statement, the agency said it was investigating the situation, doing its own testing and urged companies to recall contaminated products. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Is the FDA serving these companies or the public? Andrews asked. By FindLaw Staff | Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil and gasoline (and therefore motor vehicle exhaust), as well ascigarette smoke. What benzene is. The first lasted 18 hours immediately after the fire broke out, and the second came three days later when air monitoring detected extremely high levels of benzene - an invisible, sweet-smelling hydrocarbon often found in crude oil and cigarettes. 2021. Carcinogenic chemical benzene found in hundreds of US personal care Eddie Guevara, who's now 22, said officials should have been more honest with the public. "So you can trust that if it's 1,000 parts per billion we will let you know.". But before you rub on another coat of SPF 50, you might want to do some quick research on the brand that you've been using (in addition to checking its expiration date, ofc). A 1997 explosion at Shell Oil Co. injured several workers and sent residents scurrying to shelter in their homes. Cancer.org is provided courtesy of the Leo and Gloria Rosen family. In 2021, TCEQ approved a rule that allows the agency to consider major explosions or fires when it decides whether to issue permits to a company - a change that agency staff pushed because of the ITC fire. It's also found in all fossil fuels, and anytime you burn anything from a wood-burning fire to a candle you are exposed to benzene.". Extrapolated across the state as a whole, the benzene leakage from gas appliances is the equivalent of adding 60,000 passenger cars to the roadventing their exhaust directly into your kitchen. Benzene, a known cancer-causing chemical, was found in over half of 108 batches of antiperspirant and deodorant body sprays from 30 different brands, according to a citizen's petition filed this . But a draft shared with the Tribune shows that while it identifies 22 chemicals, including benzene, that could threaten residents' health, it does not set a specific threshold for issuing a shelter-in-place advisory. After reaching a low of 498 U.S. dollars per metric ton, the global price of benzene has increased . Eating foods or drinking fluids contaminated with high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, stomach irritation, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsions, and rapid heart rate. The petroleum-based chemical causes cancer, especially leukemia and in blood forming organs, the US Department of Health and Human Services wrote. The EPA bus typically only took measurements from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. "Oh my God," Zhang said after seeing the benzene readings the EPA gathered near Channelview on March 29. But, "of course they are going to downplay it.". Benzene belongs to a class of chemicals called volatile organic compounds, so called because they evaporate in the air. Drug manufacturers are required to ensure the safety and quality of their drugs. Fight between neighbors leads to shooting in NE Houston, police say, New details about King Charles' coronation, 6 shot, 2 fatally, at after-prom party in Mississippi, Conroe ISD secures campuses amid manhunt for alleged mass shooter, Erin Douglas, Alejandra Martinez, and Caroline Covington, The Texas Tribune, San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, is known as an industry-friendly environmental consulting firm. They cant reliably show how much benzene youve been exposed to, nor can they predict possible health effects. Search, Browse Law But exposure to benzene at levels high enough to cause these symptoms is pretty rare. He added that the city verified high benzene readings with multiple sources before deciding whether to tell residents to go inside. Shell Oil Company built the first refinery in the area in 1928, and since then, generations of Deer Park residents have crossed state Highway 225 to work in the petrochemical industry. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Report on Carcinogens, Fifteenth Edition. Meanwhile, an untold number of people were breathing benzene fumes without protection. Among the recalled hand sanitizer brands are Art Naturals, Best Brands and Natural Wunderz. 1987;52:3446034578. An official website of the United States government, : Exposure to benzene has been linked with a higher risk of cancer, particularlyleukemiaand other cancers of blood cells. Ochoa grabbed a few pillows and tucked himself in a corner, hugging his son tight. Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program. ITC spokesperson Alice Richardson choked up during a press conference after the second shelter-in-place advisory, outlining how the company and first responders were attempting to reduce the emissions. "Do you have anything that you can cover up with?" But those warnings didn't always come. FDA recommends consumers do not use products that are being recalled or those hand sanitizers FDA recommends consumers should not use. (modern). Products from household names like Purell and Suave didnt contain the chemical. When working at potentially higher exposure levels, OSHA requires employers to provide personal protective equipment such as respirators. So you want to check Valisure'sor Johnson & Johnson's list of impacted products rather than scanning your sunscreen's ingredient list to see whether "benzene" is listed. The van captured benzene levels spiking to more than 1,000 parts per billion by volume on several days during its monitoring. "It was like watching your son drown right in front of you," Ochoa said. Deodorant and antiperspirant recall: What the finding of the - CNN 1," Mayor Mouton said that day at another press conference. By Monday - eight days after the disaster began - students returned to school, to gym class and sports activities. Here you'll find in-depth information on specific cancer types including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options. Certain hand sanitizers and aerosol drug products have been recalled due to benzene contamination. Benzene - Benzene - Sigma-Aldrich ", "It's concerning that would be the case for an emergency situation," she said, adding that "you will see people hurt and harmed if it's your only number for taking action. Schools canceled classes again, this time for one day. The map shows benzene levels along the van's route. This also allows FDA to evaluate the market and determine if additional steps are needed to avoid a supply disruption that may impact public health. In May 2021, an independent laboratory called on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a recall after detecting benzene, a known human carcinogen, in 78 batches of sunscreen and after . "I don't think anyone really understood the magnitude," Craft said. How benzene is landing in products remains a bit of a mystery in some instances. When he stepped out to the backyard, a sanctuary where his family usually grills and gathers around a table to gossip, he said he experienced chest pains. Chemical Safety and Health - WHO "After the fire fight was over, that's when the benzene issues began to rear their ugly head," said Royall, the former assistant chief of Harris County Fire Marshal's Office. (The bone marrow is where new blood cells are made.) Loren Hopkins, Chief Environmental Science Officer of Houston's health department, said she realized that when officials issue shelter-in-place advisories and nothing else, the message to the public is confusing: "It's all fine, up until all of the sudden it's terrible," she said. FDA has been in communication with USP about removing (or omitting) those carbomer monographs from their compendium since late 2020. There are short-term and long-term exposure limits for benzene in the workplace, maximum acceptable benzene concentrations in drinking water, and exposure limits for benzene that include recommendations for specialized breathing equipment around higher levels of the compound. ", In the same press conference, Adam Adams, the federal on-scene commander for the EPA, said that air monitoring results, "have been consistent - no detections [of benzene].". Areas with heavy traffic, gas stations, and areas near industrial sources may also have higher air levels. We are going through that process with each of these citizen petitions. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. In Deer Park, Guevara said his eyes burned and his heart fluttered that first evening after he went home - he said he wasn't aware of the shelter-in-place advisory. Those who have purchased the products can request a refund by filling out a form online. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans - and engages with them - about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Light pointed to decades of research that has found no safe levels of benzene exposure because its so toxic at very low levels. Kids played kickball outside on the high school football field. FDA will advise on appropriate next steps such as notifying any entity that received contaminated API. But the description of the compounds in Aromatic 200 does not fit that of benzene, said Raynor, the University of Minnesota professor. One of its goals is to identify causes of cancer. The .gov means its official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Drug manufacturers should contact FDA using the information provided in FDAs alert if their testing reveals benzene in a product. Global benzene prices 2022 | Statista Name That's when he first saw the smoke coming from the ITC tank farm. A: Certain hand sanitizers and aerosol (spray) drugs, including antiperspirants and sunscreens, have been recalled due to benzene contamination. The TCEQ referred the ITC case to Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose office typically handles major industrial accidents. Benzene emissions spiked to abnormally high and potentially dangerous levels for more than two weeks after nearby residents were told it was safe to return to school and work, according to a Texas Tribune analysis of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air-monitoring data. We can also help you find other free or low-cost resources available. Though the agency doesnt have exposure limits, it informs companies that solvents such as benzene should not be employed in the manufacture of drug substances, excipients, or drug products because of their unacceptable toxicity., Some companies have capitalized on the confusing regulations and gaps to downplay the problem. "It was a very challenging, very dangerous situation," Royall, who is now retired, recalled. By 4 a.m. Thursday, TCEQ inspectors found benzene emissions exceeding 1,200 parts per billion had wafted across Highway 225 and into Deer Park. SAFETY DATA SHEET Revision Date 04/15/2023 Version 6 - Sigma-Aldrich Among those with the highest levels were Neutrogena, CVS, Sun Bum, Raw Elements and Banana Boat. "One of the things that I think the government tries hard to do is to be fair to everyone without being too quick to overly react," Garcia said. In such scenarios, the FDAs limit is two parts per million, but some products that provided no therapeutic advantage were found with levels as high as 21 ppm. "Anytime you see any kind of black smoke out there, it's not good," he said. The site is secure. Q: Should consumers continue using sunscreen? "We don't know the source of the benzene, but it could relate to how a particular ingredient was manufactured, where it was sourced, or how it moved through the supply chain," Tod Cooperman, M.D., wrote in a review of the Valisure report for ConsumberLab.com. Toxic burn pits put the health of US veterans at risk. Based on animal and human evidence, several expert agencies have evaluated the cancer-causing potential of benzene. Benzene is a potentially dangerous chemical. Such changes are commonly found in human leukemia cells. "I don't believe that most companies are trying to deceive the public or are overstating their potency, safety, or protection intentionally; however, there are some real failures within the systems that are cause for concern.". An air quality report provided by CTEH shows that it did not not detect any concentrations of benzene above 1,000 parts per billion in Deer Park, Pasadena, Galena Park or Channelview on March 31, however, the report does not indicate at what time the readings were taken. Medical authorities such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Dermatology, and major physicians associations endorse similar recommendations. Climbing benzene concentrations near the facility led the EPA and TCEQ to send inspectors into Deer Park, where they found benzene was drifting through neighborhoods near where Eddie Guevara and his family of five live. Firefighters and other first responders were ordered to wear respirators if the benzene level hit 500 parts per billion over 5 minutes, according to records obtained by the Tribune. What does it take to outsmart cancer? Benzene | Definition, Discovery, Structure, Properties, & Uses The city of Deer Park didn't respond to questions about whether it has changed its policies for responding to community benzene exposure. Studies have typically focused on workers who are exposed to the chemical over years. Likewise, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets a limit of 5 ppb in bottled water. she asks family and coworkers whenever she spots what might be dangerous. Throughout the response, a plane brought in by the EPA flew above the fire and the plume, monitoring the air and providing eyes from above, while TCEQ and Harris County employees on the ground recorded benzene levels on hand-held air monitors, in addition to CTEH's monitoring efforts for the city and company. Product name : Benzene Product Number : 319953 Brand : SIGALD Index-No. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help. Leaving the cemetery, Contreras said she began to get headaches and feel nauseous as she drove to visit a friend in the Heights, a quiet Houston neighborhood known for its Victorian-style homes.

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