Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Advanced Questions What might be the source of benzene in a sunscreen?

  • What might be the source of benzene in a sunscreen?

    Posted by oldperry on May 26, 2021 at 7:09 pm

    Alright raw material manufacturers or people who know more about such things than me, what’s your guess for the source of benzene in sunscreens?

    Here’s the story.  https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/carcinogen-found-in-multiple-sunscreens  An “independent” lab looked at over 200 sunscreens an found traces of benzene in about 27%. They even named names. 

    Any idea where the benzene might have gotten into the product?  Or could this just be a result of the type of testing done?

    What do you think?

    chickenskin replied 2 years, 10 months ago 5 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • singhc10

    Member
    May 27, 2021 at 2:57 am

    @Perry Benzene residue most likely always going to be there. I have worked with synthesis of aromatics and Freidel Crafts.Possibly the reaction for synthesis of precursor molecules is the source of benzene traces
    Benzene —>toluene—>benzaldehyde—>tertbutyl benzaldehyde(precursor in avobenzone synthesis)

    Another possible source could be fragrance components such as Lilail or benzaldehyde.Most of the organic sunscreens have fragrance

    For analytical testing, possibly using qNMR, for detection of such low levels of benzene.

  • ozgirl

    Member
    May 27, 2021 at 3:00 am

    Some carbomers are also manufactured using a benzene solvent.

  • PhilGeis

    Member
    May 27, 2021 at 10:22 am

    Think the 1st question might be the valaidity of the testing and the accuracy of report - that I’m sure the FDA is currently addressing.

  • oldperry

    Member
    May 27, 2021 at 11:56 am

    @PhilGeis - this was my first question too. Also, if you went through and tested all personal care products, how much benzene would you find?

  • PhilGeis

    Member
    May 27, 2021 at 12:50 pm

    Think you’d find it - at some level. 
    In addition to reproducibility, wonder at the risk assessment re. levels found.  Press release refers to 2 ppm benzene in sanitizer.  There, focus was on technical/industrial grade ethanol and FDA saw 2 ppm as acceptable for limited exposure in context of need for santiizers. https://www.fda.gov/media/136289/download

    There is the soft drink - benzoic acid/vitamin c /benzene issue..  Here they were talking about ppb levels.   https://www.fda.gov/food/chemicals/benzene

    Valisure is a new bunch - founded in 2015 - wonder how much of this is publicity., even if accurate as reported.

  • oldperry

    Member
    May 27, 2021 at 1:06 pm

    Ah yes, I forgot about the benzene in soft drinks controversy.

  • chickenskin

    Member
    May 27, 2021 at 9:21 pm

    @Perry  

    Long shot here but possibly residue from cleaning hydraulic pumps and mixing shafts?   

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