Unilever has recalled several dry shampoo aerosol products produced prior to October 2021 from Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TRESemmé, Bed Head, and Rockaholic due to potentially elevated levels of benzene. Valisure, an independent laboratory that provides quality assurance throughout the healthcare industry, reported that these brands of dry shampoo do in fact contain high levels of benzene. Benzene is a well-known human carcinogen (a substance capable of causing cancer) and exposure to benzene can occur via inhalation, orally, and through the skin. We are exposed to benzene on a daily basis both indoors and outdoors and from multiple sources, however, undue exposure to benzene has been connected with the development of acute myeloid leukemia and associated with the development of chronic and acute lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Even low-level benzene exposure has been directly linked to leukemia.
Valisure reported that 70% of samples tested contained quantifiable levels of benzene and that some samples contained up to 170 times the FDA-approved concentration deemed acceptable for certain drugs/products that have a significant therapeutic benefit. Because dry shampoo is a cosmetic product – i.e., not used for medicinal purposes – the elevated presence of benzene in Unilever’s dry shampoo products is unacceptable. Further, users of dry shampoo often spray their hair while in small, enclosed spaces, such as a bathroom, which results in an even higher amount of benzene exposure.
If you are a regular user of any of the aforementioned recalled brands of dry shampoo and have been recently diagnosed with leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or another type of blood cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. It is important to find a skilled law firm with experience handling these cases to ensure that cosmetic companies are held fully accountable.
The law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz, & Stogner is the longest-standing personal injury firm in Texas, and our attorneys are standing by to assist with your claim. Call us today at 713-222-7211 or 1-800-594-4884 for your free consultation.
A complete list of Unilever’s recalled products and their UPCs can be found here.
For more information, see the Food and Drug Administration’s issued recall below.
Unilever Issues Voluntary U.S. Recall of Select Dry Shampoos Due to Potential Presence of Benzene