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