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Many people use dry shampoo in their normal routine, stretching the days between washing their hair in the shower. In October of last year, the found potentially elevated levels of benzene, a carcinogen, or cancer-causing chemical, in these products. Popular brands of dry shampoo are under a voluntary recall of products manufactured before October 2021 because they contained benzene.
The dry shampoo recall may have removed concerning products off store shelves, but it鈥檚 important to make sure they aren鈥檛 still stored at home. 鈥淚t鈥檚 less of a concern that stores haven鈥檛 pulled the shampoos from their shelves, but more of a concern that someone has bought it and it鈥檚 sitting at home in the cabinet,鈥 says , epidemiologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the (the U). 鈥淚t would be good to check the of your dry shampoos that you have stored and get rid of ones that contain benzene.鈥
What is benzene and why is it harmful?
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) describes as a room temperature, colorless or light-yellow liquid chemical. People can be exposed by breathing air containing the chemical, skin, or orally. It has been linked to leukemia and other blood cancers, according to NCI.
鈥淢ost of our understanding about benzene as a human carcinogen comes from individuals who have had long-term exposure to high levels of benzene, like chemical manufacturing workers that use or make benzene,鈥 says , professor and division chief of public health at the U. 鈥淟ess is known about the risk from comparatively lower exposures from consumer products, but once this type of product contamination is known, it seems easy enough to avoid, especially when so many alternatives exist鈥攊n this case, newer versions of dry shampoos that don鈥檛 contain the chemical. The voluntary recalls we have seen by manufacturers seem prudent until consumer exposure is better understood, or product formulation is changed.鈥
鈥淚t would be good to check the product name, lot number, and UPC code of your dry shampoos that you have stored and get rid of ones that contain benzene.鈥
A carcinogen is a substance that can change the way our cells function, causing cancer. Although, just because something is labeled a carcinogen, exposure doesn鈥檛 always result in cancer. Risk of developing cancer depends on length of exposure and genetic background. NCI gives a .
鈥淪ince 1979, benzene has been considered carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC),鈥 says , professor of family and preventive medicine at the U. 鈥淭he American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists classifies benzene as a class A1 confirmed human carcinogen, targeting the blood with exposures leading to leukemia.鈥
When the dry shampoo is sprayed, the petroleum-based propellent ingredients, or gas that turns to liquid under pressure of an aluminum aerosol can, contains trace amount of benzene.
What do I do if I've been used dry shampoo that was recalled?
鈥淚f you have been using the dry shampoos listed in the recall by the FDA before they were pulled from shelves, I would communicate that with your doctor,鈥 says Trabert. 鈥淵ou can have a conversation with your doctor about what would be appropriate for monitoring potential health effects, and your doctor will be aware of what tests they need to order if there are concerns.鈥
For more information about benzene or other carcinogens, reach out to Huntsman Cancer Institute's Cancer Learning Center.