5 aerosol sunscreens recalled:

[IcyPeas]

- NEUTROGENA Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen
- NEUTROGENA Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen
- NEUTROGENA Invisible Daily defense aerosol sunscreen
- NEUTROGENA Ultra Sheer aerosol sunscreen
- AVEENO Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen

The reason? Low levels of a carcinogen discovered during J&’s internal testing. Here’s what to know.

While conducting internal product testing, J&J found low levels of benzene—a carcinogen—in these five sunscreens. “While benzene is not an ingredient in any of our sunscreen products, it was detected in some samples of the impacted aerosol sunscreen finished products,” the company said in a statement. “We are investigating the cause of this issue, which is limited to certain aerosol sunscreen products.”

https://lifehacker.com/throw-away-these-recalled-sunscreens-that-contain-a-car-1847297801

[ProfessorGAC]

1. My Surmise

The benzene is likely a contaminant in the isobutane used as the propellant in the can.
A lot (but not all) of isobutane is sourced as lights off the fractional distillation of petroleum.
Many of you have likely seen the spherical tanks at the outer reaches of refineries. Those are referred to as "Ane" tanks. "Anes" is short for alkanes, a group to which isobutane belongs.
Benzene also forms in the petroleum cracking process, is a very volatile liquid, and its resonant structure creates a co-solubility with alkanes.
Places making personal care consumer products don't have benzene laying around.
It's extremely likely the contaminant came in with a raw material.

[abqtommy]

2. I did a little research on Benzene since I remembered that it had been used (briefly) as a

fuel for early internal-combustion engines. I found some interesting and scary stuff:

"Benzene is widely used in the United States; it ranks in the top 20 chemicals for production volume. Some industries use benzene to make other chemicals which are used to make plastics, resins, and nylon and synthetic fibers. Benzene is also used to make some types of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke."

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/substances/ToxSubstance.aspx?toxid=14

"What is the difference between Benzene and Gasoline?

• Benzene is a hydrocarbon molecule and gasoline is a mixture of hydrocarbons.

• Gasoline contains hydrocarbons with benzene rings.

• Naturally, benzene is present in petrochemicals like gasoline.

• Benzene is added to gasoline, to increase its octane rating."

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-benzene-and-vs-gasoline/

Then there's Toluene, which is added to racing fuels to increase fuel octane.

"Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent often referred as methylbenzene. Toluene is widely used in industry, often served as a substitute for benzene. Methyl side groups present in toluene makes toluene metabolized differently than benzene."

https://www.worldofchemicals.com/428/chemistry-articles/toluene-additive-for-racing-fuels-fuel-octane-booster.html

Why do we continue to put up with this?

[IcyPeas]

3. there is toluene in some nail polishes. the fumes alone are toxic.