Johnson & Johnson Recalls Sunscreen Due to Presence of Benzene

Even at low levels, benzene is a carcinogen and can increase the risk for blood tissue cancers like lymphoma, myeloma, and leukemia. Benzene can’t exist at any safe level in sunscreen, according to experts. Recently, Johnson & Johnson recalled certain Neutrogena and Aveeno products, because it was found that they contained benzene. This is not the first question about benzene in Johnson & Johnson sunscreens; in 2021, the FDA wrote an internal report, a Health Hazard Evaluation, that said that there was danger even when sunscreen contained only low levels of benzene. At that time, Johnson & Johnson sunscreens were among those that contained the carcinogen, and tests had detected levels of benzene that were 5 to 12 times above the recommended limits that two independent organizations had set. If you have been diagnosed with cancer and you used the sunscreens listed below, you may have grounds to bring a product liability lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. Call the attorneys of Moll Law Group to discuss whether your claim is viable.

Consult Moll Law Group About Benzene in Sunscreen

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. is voluntarily recalling all lots of five of its products after internal testing found low levels of benzene in product samples. The latest Johnson & Johnson sunscreens to be implicated in benzene sunscreen lawsuits are aerosol Aveeno and Neutrogena products. These include Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Invisible Daily defense aerosol sunscreen, and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer^® aerosol sunscreen. Consumers have been told to stop using these products.

Benzene is a known human carcinogen, a material that can potentially trigger cancer based on how much it’s been used and the consumer’s exposure levels. The substance is everywhere in the environment and can be absorbed via a person’s skin, as well as orally. Benzene isn’t an ingredient in the Johnson & Johnson sunscreens but has been detected in the products, nonetheless. Johnson & Johnson has stated that daily exposure in the specified aerosol sunscreen products in the low levels found in their testing wouldn’t be expected to result in cancer; for their purposes, the lots have been recalled in order to be cautious.

However, consumers who have brought lawsuits after repeated exposure to Johnson & Johnson sunscreens have been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) cancer, myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, and Aplastic Anemia.

The manufacturer has asked consumers to contact the JJCI Consumer Care Center with any questions or to ask for a refund by calling 1-800-458-1574. Distributors and retailers have been notified and asked to return the recalled items. Consumers have been told to contact their doctors if they have any concerns or have experienced problems connected to the products. JJCI is also notifying its distributors and retailers by letter and is arranging for returns of all recalled products. Additionally, you can report your problems caused by the named sunscreens to the FDA MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program by completing a report online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.

A product liability lawsuit may be pursued when a product is defective in terms of its marketing, manufacturing, or design. Benzene is not an ingredient in the Johnson & Johnson sunscreen, and so it seems somewhat more likely that there are manufacturing or marketing defects in the product. Seasoned attorneys may establish a manufacturer’s liability by proving negligence, strict liability, breach of contract, breach of warranty or statutory violations. When their attorneys are able to establish liability, plaintiffs may be able to recover economic and noneconomic damages related to losses they incurred because of the defective products.

If you were harmed or a loved one died due to the Johnson & Johnson sunscreen products listed above, call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability attorneys of Moll Law Group to discuss your legal options. For a free consultation, please complete our online form or call us at 312.462.1700.