Last update:February 1, 2023
Johnson & Johnson temvoluntarily rememberedall five batches of Neutrogena and Aveeno spray sunscreens, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. Tests have shown that benzene, a carcinogen, is present in some of the company's sunscreens.
The company has yet to determine the cause of the problem, as benzene is not an ingredient in sunscreens. Johnson & Johnson has not yet published the levels of benzene present in the products. The company also did not specify how many products were affected.
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Aveeno and Neutrogena lawsuit news and updates
Johnson & Johnson's sun protection process unfolded in the following timeline:
- February 1, 2023 -sunscreen reminder– 2022 in Summary: Pollution by benzene. The first of many personal care product recalls due to benzene contamination in 2021 was the result of this known human carcinogen. Many batches of sunscreens and other after-sun products were withdrawn from the market in May 2021, causing widespread controversy. Many personal care products, including dry shampoos, have been voluntarily recalled due to concerns about benzene in sunscreens. Valisure, an independent laboratory that tests for benzene contamination in consumer products, was at the forefront of many of the benzene advertisements.
- January 1, 2023 -FDA warnspharmaceutical companies about the possibility of benzene contamination in some products.
- December 1, 2022 -neutrogenafaces a class action lawsuit over the high cost of an identical sunscreen for babies.
- November 21, 2022 -Spray sunscreensat greater risk from benzene, says the scientist who pushed for the recalls.
- Sep 1, 2022 - What is the best sunscreen for you? Tips after removing spray sunscreen forcancer causing chemicals.
- Aug 14, 2022: From contamination to mislabeling, sunscreen makersproblems they are trying to solve.
- August 1, 2022 -banana boat, another popular sunscreen is recalled because it may contain a carcinogen.
- July 1, 2022: Sunscreen recommendations and recall informationconsumer reports.
- June 1, 2022 -Soft recalled products containing benzene. Based on an independent health risk assessment, daily exposure to benzene found in recalled products at levels detected in our testing does not appear to have adverse health effects.
- May 25, 2021 -independent research labvaleriaAnnounces discovery of benzene in Aveeno and Neutrogena spray sunscreens
- July 14, 2021 -Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalls Aveeno and Neutrogena sunscreen sprays
- October 11, 2021 -court panelconsolidates sunscreen litigationin multidistrict litigation
table of contents
2 What is benzene and why is it dangerous?
4 Neutrogena Sunscreen Recall 2022
5 Aveeno Sunscreen Reminder
6 What are the symptoms of leukemia?
What is benzene and why is it dangerous?
BenzeneIt is a substance that can cause cancer in humans. It has a sweet odor and can be light yellow or colorless. Benzene vapor is heavier than air and can settle in low areas. It evaporates quickly. The substance is less dense than water and floats on water and many water-based substances.
Benzene occurs naturally (as a result of volcanoes, wildfires and other natural processes) and can be produced as a result of human activity. Many industries use benzene to create other chemicals that are used in the development and manufacture of plastics, resins, rubbers, medicines, detergents and more.
There are many ways that people can be exposed to benzene. Cigarette smoke often results in benzene exposure, as does working in a factory that uses benzene to make products.
Benzene prevents cells from working properly. Research shows that benzene can cause red and white blood cell loss. When the concentration of blood cells in the body changes, many problems can occur, such as anemia, immune system problems and leukemia. How benzene affects the body depends on many factors, including the duration and amount of exposure.
Some effects of benzene are slow to appear, while others appear shortly after exposure.
Immediate signs and symptoms of benzene exposure may include:
- somnolence
- Dizziness
- nausea
- vomit
- fast heartbeat
- stomach irritation
- headaches
- Confusion
- somnolence
- tremors
- Death
Signs and symptoms of benzene exposure that may occur over time include:
- bone marrow problems
- Anemia
- reproductive problems in women
- Low birth weight, bone marrow damage, and delayed bone formation in babies born to women exposed to benzene
- Leukemia
Side Effects of Johnson & Johnson Sunscreens
Both the amount of exposure and duration of exposure affect the degree to which a consumer will experience side effects from benzene use. The side effects of inhaling benzene after spraying sunscreen are likely to be more serious than the effects caused by the sunscreen coming into contact with the skin. Some side effects may appear immediately, while others may take some time to develop.
possible immediatelySide effects of using Johnson & Johnson sunscreen spraythat contain benzene include headaches, confusion, unconsciousness and dizziness. If a child eats the sunscreen instead of inhaling it, possible immediate side effects include irregular heartbeat, digestive problems and vomiting. Over time, exposure to benzene can increase your risk of leukemia.
Neutrogena Sunscreen Recall 2022
Many people may have been inadvertently exposed to benzene as a result of usingJohnson & Johnson spray sunscreens, including many in the Neutrogena product line. According to Johnson & Johnson, benzene was detected in samples of these products. The company has not yet disclosed how much benzene was in the products or how many products were affected. Benzene is not an ingredient in sunscreens, and the company has yet to determine how benzene contaminated the affected sunscreen varieties.
If you have Neutrogena spray sunscreen, you should discontinue use of the product immediately. While applying benzene to the skin has risks, the risk of adverse effects is much greater when inhaling the product. When applying a spray sunscreen, it's almost impossible not to inhale the product.
Johnson & Johnson has recalled Neutrogena spray sunscreens, including:
- Spray corporal Beach Defense de Neutrogena, FPS 50
- Neutrogena Beach Defense oil-free body spray, SPF 100
- Neutrogena Beach Defense® aerosol sunscreen
- Neutrogena Cool Dry aerosol sunscreen
- Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Body Sunscreen, SPF 60+
- Protetor solar Neutrogena Invisible Daily™ Defense Spray
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® aerosol sunscreen
- Neutrogena ultratransparente sem peso, SPF 100+
- Neutrogena ultratransparente sem peso, SPF 70
Aveeno sunscreen recall
In addition to the recall of several Neutrogena spray sunscreen varieties, the Aveeno skin care line was also affected by the recall of Johnson & Johnson sunscreen. Aveeno Protect + Refresh spray sunscreen was also recalled, as benzene was detected in product samples through tests performed by an independent laboratory. Like Neutrogena's sunscreens, Aveeno Protect + Refresh is a spray formula. Consumers using this formulation will inevitably inhale some of the product when sprayed on the skin, increasing the risk of adverse effects from benzene exposure.
What are the symptoms of leukemia?
If you or a loved one has been exposed to benzene or another carcinogen linked to leukemia, it's important to know the signs and symptoms of the disease. If you think you might be dealing with leukemia or another type of cancer, see your doctor right away.
Some types of leukemia are more common in adults, while others occur more often in children. The disease attacks the blood-forming parts of the body, including the lymphatic system and bone marrow. Leukemia affects the way your body makes white blood cells. In a person who does not have leukemia, the white blood cells work to fight the infection. In a person with leukemia, too many white blood cells are produced and they do not function in ways that help the body.
Leukemia signs and symptomsmay include:
- Petechiae (small red dots that appear on the skin)
- bruises easily
- easy bleeding
- Tenderness or pain that radiates through the bones
- excessive night sweat
- frequent nosebleeds
- Weakness and fatigue that don't go away with enough rest
- Severe or frequent infections.
- Fever and/or chills
- unexplained weight loss
- swollen lymph nodes
- enlarged liver
- enlarged spleen
If you or a loved one have used Aveeno or Neutrogena spray sunscreen and are experiencing the above symptoms, it is important to speak to a doctor immediately. Leukemia is treatable and early detection can help improve treatment success.
Is Aveeno & Neutrogena a Class Action or a Mass Liability Suit?
Both class actions and mass civil liability actions allow people who have been harmed by a company's actions to receive compensation. In a class action, all defendants are treated equally and receive identical pay. In a mass liability action, each circumstance is considered individually, allowing for multiple payments depending on the severity of the plaintiff's claim.
Initially, class actions were filed against Johnson & Johnson, the parent company of Aveeno and Neutrogena. In October 2021, the lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson were combined into a multi-district litigation, or MDL. A CDM case allows a judge to combine pre-trial proceedings for reasons of time and convenience, before potentially assessing each case brought by consumers seeking compensation for their damages separately.
Aveeno and Neutrogena court settlements
The exact amount of settlement that consumers who experience adverse effects after using Johnson & Johnson's sunscreen spray will depend on the court case.
If you believe you have a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, you should begin working with a qualified legal professional as soon as possible to prepare for the months ahead.
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If you believe you have been harmed by using Johnson & Johnson sunscreen, Select Justice can help you fight for your rights and compensation.
To start
Frequently asked questions about the Neutrogena and Aveeno process
Which sunscreens were recalled?
Several spray sunscreens were recalled, including:
- Spray corporal Beach Defense de Neutrogena, FPS 50
- Neutrogena Beach Defense oil-free body spray, SPF 100
- Neutrogena Beach Defense® aerosol sunscreen
- Neutrogena Cool Dry aerosol sunscreen
- Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Body Sunscreen, SPF 60+
- Protetor solar Neutrogena Invisible Daily™ Defense Spray
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® aerosol sunscreen
- Neutrogena ultratransparente sem peso, SPF 100+
- Neutrogena ultratransparente sem peso, SPF 70
- Protector solar Aveeno Protect + Refresh
Can benzene cause cancer?
Yes, research shows that benzene is linked to cancer, specifically leukemia. Ingesting benzene (for example, through the use of aerosols) is one of the most dangerous types of exposure to the chemical.
How much benzene is harmful in sunscreen?
According with the doctor. Christopher Bunick, MD, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Dermatology at Yale University, just 0.1 parts per million would be considered a high level of exposure for benzene in sunscreen. doctor Bunick also claims that there is no safe level of benzene in a sunscreen.
Which sunscreens are carcinogenic?
Independent laboratory tests have shown that samples of Neutrogena and Aveeno spray sunscreens contain benzene, a carcinogen (cancer-causing) substance.
Should I stop using Neutrogena sunscreen?
If your Neutrogena sunscreen is in an aerosol can, stop using it immediately and switch to a new brand of sunscreen.
Is Aveeno sunscreen safe?
Aveeno Spray Sunscreen is unsafe to use due to possible benzene contamination.
Is there a class action lawsuit against Neutrogena?
Class actions were filed against Johnson & Johnson, parent company of Neutrogena, for benzene contamination in aerosol sunscreens. The class action will now be combined into multi-district litigation.
Does Aveeno Baby Sunscreen contain benzene?
No. Only aerosol sunscreens showed a positive result for benzene contamination.