Procter & Gamble announced the company has recalled thirty-two of its dry shampoo and conditioner products after detecting benzene, a known carcinogen, in some of the products.
The company voluntarily made the recall.
Aerosol conditioner and dry shampoo spray products from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, and “Waterl>ss,” produced in the United States, as well as previously discontinued aerosol products from Old Spice and Hair Food, have been recalled due to the presence of benzene in some of them, the company said.
According to the World Health Organization (WTO), human exposure to benzene can lead to a range of acute and long-term adverse health effects and diseases, including cancer.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains that benzene is a colorless, sweet-smelling liquid. It evaporates into the air very quickly and dissolves slightly in water.
The WTO states that exposure can occur nearly anywhere due to the widespread use of benzene-containing petroleum products, such as motor fuels and solvents. Tobacco smoke exposure, both active and passive, is a significant source of exposure, and people generally come into contact with the colorless liquid through inhalation.
“Following recent reports that indicated traces of benzene in some aerosol spray products, we began a review of our total portfolio of aerosol products,” Proctor & Gamble said in a press release. “While benzene is not an ingredient in any of our products, our review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the consumers who use our products and the quality of the products we ship.”
Procter & Gamble said they would reimburse customers who purchased eligible products. The company’s Consumer Care team can be reached at 1-888-674-3631 from Monday to Friday.
Consumers can visit these sites to check for recalled products:
