Everything you need to know about cancer-causing chemicals in dry shampoo

• Last year, an independent lab found elevated levels of benzene in many dry shampoos.
• This potentially cancer-causing chemical has led to recalls and now, a class-action lawsuit.

Last year, an independent lab found elevated levels of benzene, a chemical linked to cancer, in popular dry shampoos. It happened just weeks after a major cosmetic brand recalled more than a dozen dry shampoos for benzene contamination.

Now, people who bought dry shampoo from one of the most popular brands are eligible for a payout thanks to a class-action lawsuit against Batiste, the maker of one of these dry shampoos.

In August, Church & Dwight, the company that owns Batiste, agreed to pay out a $2.5 million dollar settlement to anyone who purchased Batiste dry shampoo before May 30, 2023, because of elevated levels of benzene that were found in the dry shampoo.

Here's a timeline of what happened.

Several companies announced a voluntary recall due to benzene contamination

In October 2022, Unilever, the parent company for Bed Head, TIGI, Dove, and Tresemmé, voluntarily recalled 19 dry-shampoo products due to benzene contamination. The company identified the propellant, which creates pressure in the aerosol cans, as the source of elevated benzene levels. Unilever said the amount of benzene would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences and issued the recall "out of an abundance of caution."

An independent lab found benzene in more hair products

Just weeks after the Unilever recall, the independent lab Valisure, tested 148 products from 34 hair brands, including those owned by L'Oreal and Johnson & Johnson.

The Food and Drug Administration discourages manufacturers from selling products containing more than two parts per million (ppm) of benzene. Valisure's analysis found 11 brands, including Sun Bum and Batiste, sold dry shampoos containing more than 2 ppm of benzene. One brand, Not Your Mother's, sold dry shampoos containing over 10 times the recommended amount of benzene.

Benzene is a widely used industrial chemical found naturally in crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. Manufacturers frequently use it to make plastic, synthetic fibers, rubbers, detergents, and dyes, according to the CDC.

People who work around benzene are at a higher risk for some cancers, according to the World Health Organization. One study from 2012 identified higher rates of leukemia, or blood cancer, among workers at oil refineries, chemical producers, and shoe-makers who were exposed to large amounts of benzene.

Valisure submitted a citizen petition demanding the FDA recall the products contaminated with benzene, update regulations that limit the amount of benzene cosmetic products can contain, and work with the Environmental Protection Agency to limit environmental exposure to benzene.

"The detection of high levels of benzene in dry shampoos should be cause for significant concern since these products are likely used indoors, where benzene may linger and be inhaled for prolonged periods of time," David Light, the CEO of Valisure, said in a press release.

"The FDA is reviewing the petition and will respond directly to the petitioner," an agency spokesperson told Insider.

Other companies are also getting sued

In addition to Batiste settling a class-action lawsuit for $2.5 million over the summer, other cosmetics companies have also been sued over benzene in dry shampoo. In March, Johnson & Johnson and Vogue International moved to dismiss a potential lawsuit, claiming that Valisure's testing methods weren't accurate.

If you think you may have a claim under the class action lawsuit against Batiste, you must submit a valid claim form by November 15, 2023. People who can provide proof-of-purchase for Batiste Bare, Clean or Batiste Light Bare dry shampoos prior to May 30, 2023, are eligible for a full refund. Those who do not have proof of purchase may still be eligible for a $2 refund per product, up to five products.

Researchers are still studying benzene in cosmetics

A 2012 paper on benzene, funded by the EPA, acknowledged the "need for further assessment" on health risks from low-level environmental exposure to benzene, like exposure through cosmetic products.

The agency said the limited data on low-dose exposure to benzene means that the "true cancer risk from exposure to benzene" in small amounts "cannot be ascertained."

Joe Schwarcz, a chemist and science communicator at McGill University, said in a blog post that alarm over benzene in personal-care products might be overblown, given the lack of evidence that low-level exposure causes cancer. But he said that it's still a good idea to avoid carcinogens.

"While the risk may be small, when it comes to carcinogens, we should look to reduce any unnecessary exposure," Schwarcz said.