Cancer Linked to The Use of Neutrogena Sunscreen
For an even skin tone and to avoid getting sunburn, we are often advised to use sunscreens. However, while sunscreens are meant to protect against the effects of sun exposure, such as cancer, some of these products might actually be increasing the risk. Neutrogena’s sunscreen has particularly been implicated in recent findings which suggest that the product contains the cancer-causing chemical – Benzene.
Companies like Johnson and Johnson have had to recall Neutrogena and other products found to contain the chemical. The aerosol spray of the products was specifically seen to contain trace amounts of Benzene, which can cause cancer after long term exposure at high levels. If you or your loved ones received a cancer diagnosis after exposure to Neutrogena or similar Benzene-laced aerosol sunscreens, you may have a right to pursue compensation. Contact our attorneys for help with understanding your legal rights and options for compensation.
Risks of Benzene Exposure
Benzene is a well-known carcinogen that causes leukemia and also other kinds of blood disorders. It is a colorless or light-colored, sweet-smelling chemical that occurs naturally and may be utilized in manufacturing. Rubber, glue, furniture wax, detergents, inks, and adhesives are just a few of the products that contain this chemical. This industrial chemical can affect the immune system as it can cause the bone marrow to stop producing enough red blood cells. In fact, long-term exposure to Benzene is toxic to the bone marrow and can induce a reduction in red blood cells, causing anemia. It can also result in excessive bleeding and affect the immune system, making infection more likely. Persons exposed to Benzene for too long are likely to develop the following diseases:
#1. Leukemia
Amongst other types of cancer caused by the Benzene present in Neutrogena sunscreens, leukemia tops the chart. The aerosol spray sunscreens particularly cause this type of cancer, as people can inhale Benzene when sprayed. Benzene has been found to cause chromosome changes in bone marrow cells in the laboratory. This means that new blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. In human leukemia cells, such alterations are prevalent. The National Cancer Institute agrees that continuous exposure to this chemical causes leukemia and other blood disorders.
Benzene-induced blood cell reductions could be seen just a few months after benzene exposure. However, there is a year-long delay between benzene exposure and the onset of leukemia.
This invariably means that it takes a long period for symptoms of leukemia induced by Benzene to show up. Unfortunately, by this time, the patient may have already suffered a lot of damage. However, leukemia and its effects vary as it occurs in different forms:
Childhood leukemia (Acute Myeloid Leukemia)
Childhood leukemia, also known as Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), is a disease of the white blood cells and is the most prevalent type of cancer in children and teenagers. This disease causes abnormal white blood cells to form in the bone marrow.
These abnormal cells travel fast through the bloodstream, crowding out healthy cells in the process. As such, it increases the risk of infection and other disorders in the body. It’s comforting to know that, as difficult as it is for a child to suffer cancer, most children and teenagers with childhood leukemia may be successfully treated.
Having known the dangers of inhaling Benzene, you may want to be more careful when spraying some sunscreen on your children’s skin.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) is a blood and bone marrow malignancy that affects the spongy tissue inside bones that produces blood cells. Instead of producing unformed cells called blasts that would typically evolve into lymphocytes, the bone marrow produces aberrant blasts in ALL patients.
These blasts do not develop correctly and are unable to perform their function of fighting infections. They swiftly obstruct the red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells that the body requires. Acute lymphocytic leukemia also referred to as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is a type of leukemia that affects the blood cells. Although this type of leukemia is more common in children, adults can also develop it. Unfortunately, though, the chances of a cure are slim.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a blood and bone marrow malignancy that affects the spongy tissue inside the bones where blood cells are generated. The cause of CLL is yet to be discovered. However, doctors are aware that something in the body produces a genetic mutation in the DNA of blood-producing cells. Blood cells create aberrant, inefficient lymphocytes as a result of this mutation.
Abnormal lymphocytes will continue to live instead of dying like other cells. They accumulate in the blood and some organs of the body. This accumulation of lymphocytes in the body can cause problems and even drown out good cells. In addition, while doctors are unsure what causes chronic lymphocytic leukemia, long-term exposure to Benzene has been linked to cancer. It is a popular carcinogen that has been associated with blood and bone marrow abnormalities.
#2. Myelodysplasia
Myelodysplasia, also known as myelodysplastic syndrome, refers to a group of disorders marked by the inadequate production (or dysplasia) of a particular type of blood cell. It is occasionally a sign that cancer is forming in the body. Because it has a high probability of developing into Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, this condition is often referred to as a pre-leukemia disease. It’s crucial to realize, though, that myelodysplasia is a rare syndrome that leads to the death of many people who never developed leukemia.
Myelodysplasia has a lot of similarities to leukemia in terms of etiology. Carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) such as radiation and Benzene have been shown to cause DNA mutations and the death of adult stem cells. In addition, secondary myelodysplasia can develop as a result of cancer therapy. When radiation therapy is combined with certain medications, the patient’s bone marrow can be destroyed, leading to death.
#3. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. White blood cells called lymphocytes proliferate improperly in non-lymphoma Hodgkin’s and can form tumors throughout the body.
As with myelodysplasia, doctors have no idea what causes Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma the majority of the time. However, some have linked it to risk factors associated with prolonged exposure to Benzene. It starts when the body develops an excessive number of aberrant lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. So the more the use of Neutrogena sunscreens containing Benzene, the more possibility of developing Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Neutrogena Sunscreen Recall
As seen from the above, exposure to Benzene can negatively affect a person’s health. Because of this, Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens had been recalled by Johnson and Johnson. All five of them:
- 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
This is because small amounts of Benzene were found in them, invariably threatening human health.
Speak to an attorney for help
Neutrogena’s sunscreens sure would have given the protection it was made for if it hadn’t had trace amounts of Benzene in it. However, it is best to completely avoid these products. If you show symptoms of these diseases shown hereafter using one of the recalled products, you have the right to demand compensation. In fact, you deserve to receive compensation, and with the right team of attorneys, you can get the justice that you deserve.