However, most studies in people have not found an increased risk of cancers other than leukemia among those with higher exposures. The operation turned to tamping down benzene emissions and emptying the chemicals from the ruptured tanks. We're improving the lives of cancer patients and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. If you are exposed to benzene at your workplace, talk to your employer about limiting your exposure through process changes (such as replacing the benzene with another solvent or enclosing the benzene source) or by using personal protective equipment. Anemia (a low red blood cell count), which can cause a person to feel weak and tired. There is much less evidence linking benzene to any other type of cancer. Light pointed to decades of research that has found no safe levels of benzene exposure because its so toxic at very low levels. "Benzene really shouldn't be there at all," he said. By FindLaw Staff | "I was watching him and knowing, he doesn't even realize he's suffocating," he said. In March 2021, FDA received a citizen petition raising concerns about the level of benzene in certain hand sanitizers and other products. Loren Hopkins, Chief Environmental Science Officer of Houston's health department, said she realized that when officials issue shelter-in-place advisories and nothing else, the message to the public is confusing: "It's all fine, up until all of the sudden it's terrible," she said. "It was a missed opportunity because [the data from the EPA's mobile lab] could've been used to inform some of the public health decisions, but it doesn't seem like it was.". Long-term exposure may affect bone marrow and blood production. By Monday - eight days after the . Sleepiness. Federal regulations limit exposure to benzene in the workplace (see below). The TCEQ, for its part, has beefed up its ability to test for airborne chemicals, adding new air monitors in the ship channel area since 2019 and purchasing three new air monitoring vehicles. ", Benzene pollution lingers as life returns to normal - March 25-29, 2019. "We didn't realize the amount of people that were going to actually show up," said Michael McClendon, the director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response at Harris County Public Health. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Those workplace standards, he added, were a compromise between now-outdated benzene science and the economic impact on businesses. One way manufacturers can meet the requirements of 211.84, 211.160 and 211.165 is by using tools such as risk assessments to determine they have the appropriate specifications, test methods, and controls to ensure drugs are free from contamination. When inhaled in large quantities over a short period, benzene can affect the central nervous system and cause symptoms including dizziness, a rapid heart rate and headaches. "Benzene is a chemical that, when activated with exposure to the skin, blood, or organs, can affect changes in your DNA that cause mutations for cancers," says Madhuri Chadha, M.D., founder of Dr. Madh Skin Solutions and radiologist currently working in aesthetic dermatology. If benzene touches the skin, it can result in redness and blisters. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. Jennah Durant, a spokesperson for the EPA, said both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - reviewed the action level "and had no objections.". On March 31, two weeks after the ITC fire erupted into flames, the EPA mobile lab was still driving around Deer Park, testing the air. Benzene is an aromatic compound emitted by crude oil. Manufacturers of NDA and ANDA drug products whose testing reveals their drug products contain benzene below 2 ppm should contact FDA at CDER-benzene@fda.hhs.gov. A: While benzene is not usually used in the manufacture of drugs, the contamination may be related to inactive ingredients in drugs such as carbomers (thickening agents), isobutane (a spray propellant), or other drug components made from hydrocarbons (chemicals made of hydrogen and carbon). It is not known if benzene exposure affects fertility in men. A: The health consequences of benzene exposure depend on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as age and preexisting medical conditions. Areas with heavy traffic, gas stations, and areas near industrial sources may also have higher air levels. Benzene in soft drinks - Wikipedia 95(1):8-12, January-February 2009. Texas has guidelines that define what level of exposure to various chemicals could affect people's health; for benzene, it's 180 parts per billion in an hour. This contamination is a public health concern and has caused significant outcry among environmental and health advocates. Benzene has been shown to cause chromosome changes in bone marrow cells in the lab. The companys statement was posted by the FDA on its website even though agency scientists found in a July analysis obtained by Consumer Reports that benzene-contaminated sunscreen did pose a life-threatening risk. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Tax ID Number: 13-1788491. But the EPA's air monitoring bus continued detecting elevated levels of benzene as it drove through the industrial areas lining the Houston Ship Channel early that week, the Tribune's analysis shows. Places Where Benzene May Be Found. Areas with heavy traffic, gas stations, and areas near industrial sources may also have higher air levels. Consumers should stop using products that have been recalled as well as those hand sanitizers FDA recommends consumers should not use, including hand sanitizers tested by FDA and found to contain unacceptable levels of benzene. Rodney Reed, an assistant chief at Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, said that each city, as well as multiple county agencies, have the authority to issue shelter-in-place advisories. Q: What is benzene? FDA has recommended the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) remove (or omit) certain carbomer monographs from their compendium that allow for unacceptable levels of benzene (a USP monograph is a written document that provides the quality expectations for a medicine or ingredient). These results support the finding of an excess risk of leukemia in humans. Still, the state renewed the chemical permit for ITC's Deer Park facility less than a year after the fire. "We were really trying to get to a place where we were being fair to the industry, but also transparent to the public about whether there was still harm.". "We don't know the source of the benzene, but it could relate to how a particular ingredient was manufactured, where it was sourced, or how it moved through the supply chain," Tod Cooperman, M.D., wrote in a review of the Valisure report for ConsumberLab.com. Either way, read through the list of sunscreens found to contain benzene and toss yours if it made the list or it is one of the recalled Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens. In a December statement, the agency said it was investigating the situation, doing its own testing and urged companies to recall contaminated products. Benzene dissolves only slightly in water and will float on top of water. Accessed at https://publications.iarc.fr/123 on January 25, 2023. Four years after Ochoa, his 62-year-old mother, his son and countless others were sickened by the ITC fire, federal regulators are still investigating. In Deer Park, Guevara said his eyes burned and his heart fluttered that first evening after he went home - he said he wasn't aware of the shelter-in-place advisory. If you are person who smokes,try to quit. PDF Benzene - US EPA The findings suggest that benzene contamination is widespread and is probably in more products that have not yet been tested, said David Light, Valisures chief executive. Benzene and leukemia: An epidemiological risk assessment. Levels of benzene can be higher in enclosed spaces with unventilated fumes from gasoline, glues, solvents, paints, and art supplies. Benzene is less dense than water and will float on the surface of water. Benzene, a Carcinogen Led to Sunscreen Recalls - Health By 4 a.m. Thursday, TCEQ inspectors found benzene emissions exceeding 1,200 parts per billion had wafted across Highway 225 and into Deer Park. What were seeing is a fundamental problem in the manufacturing of a lot of consumer products. To date, Valisure has tested 662 items and found the chemical in 180, or about 27%, of products. Deodorant and antiperspirant recall: What the finding of the - CNN ", "Benzene is associated with cancer usually after long durations (decades) of exposure," DSHS spokesperson Lara Anton said in a statement. Exposure to benzene and risk of breast cancer among shoe factory workers in Italy. What benzene is. Benzene can cause blood cancers like leukemia. Weve invested more than $5 billion in cancer research since 1946, all to find more and better treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients quality of life. (modern). In its December statement, TPC Hot Acquisition, which owns Brut and Sure, wrote: To date, no reports of adverse events related to this recall have been reported. Benzene | Medical Management Guidelines | Toxic Substance Portal | ATSDR The contamination has been most frequently detected in aerosol or spray products, some at levels the Food and Drug Administration characterized as life-threatening. As officials declared victory, Mario Ochoa's mother could hardly breathe. The van captured benzene levels spiking to more than 1,000 parts per billion by volume on several days during its monitoring. Research. Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program. Regardless of your skin type, skin tone, or ethnicity, sunscreen should still be a top priority for you year-round. Contaminated well water, as a result of benzene leaks from underground storage tanks or hazardous waste sites containing benzene. US Department of Health and Human Services. Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq. "There's confusion and misinformation about sunscreen that unfortunately has led to growing skepticism and a general fear factor that sunscreens are dangerous when in fact not using them is more dangerous," says dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D. 356C(b) and FDAs associated regulations. Eddie Guevara, who's now 22, said officials should have been more honest with the public. Certainly, over-exposure to benzene in any setting might generate a legal claim against the institution or person that caused the exposure. Benzene - Benzene - Sigma-Aldrich They cant reliably show how much benzene youve been exposed to, nor can they predict possible health effects. "I try not to think about it, because when I do think about it, my heart feels it," Ochoa said. 2021. Harris County Pollution Control Executive Director Latrice Babin said in an interview that telling citizens to shelter in place is "a really hard call to make," noting that even when high levels of chemicals are recorded, interpreting air quality testing also depends on weather conditions and location. Browse Benzene and related products at MilliporeSigma. While benzene levels continued to spike near the ITC facility, neighboring chemical plants were warned to shelter in place Friday afternoon - the nearby community was not. The city of Deer Park didn't respond to questions about whether it has changed its policies for responding to community benzene exposure. Texas' health agency similarly concluded that although benzene is a carcinogen, exposure during the incident "is not expected to increase people's risk of cancer. Guevara, who has worked in industrial plants since he was a teenager, called his dad and his brother, Anthony, to warn his family of the smoke approaching their orange brick, two-story house located just four miles from ITC. Athlete . Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Durant, the EPA spokesperson, characterized such spikes as "instantaneous" measurements in industrial areas that would not have prompted notification to local officials. Ochoa said he and his fellow workers were indeed concerned. Our team is made up of doctors andoncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing. A: Yes. She could taste the smoke; she had the distinct sense that the smell would stick to her all-black attire and linger in her firmly pressed curly hair. "These concentrations are higher than we would normally consider protective," Richard Nickle, an environmental health scientist at the CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, said in an April 2019 email to Harris County officials. ITC's operational permit is up for renewal this year and some residents have raised safety concerns about the facility ahead of the permit renewal; a public hearing will be held in May. Long-term exposure to benzene mainly harms the bone marrow, the soft, inner parts of bones where new blood cells are made. The EPA limits concentrations of benzene in drinking water to 5 ppb (parts per billion). Ochoa quit his job as a pipe-fitter and found a job that doesn't expose him to chemicals. Brent Weber, who was ITC's "incident commander" during the fire and is now the company's president and CEO, said during the same press conference that the company had encountered issues pumping the chemicals out of the damaged tanks over the weekend that caused an increase in benzene emissions. Sun safety is important for everyone and all skin colors, and consumers can reduce risks from sun exposure with continued use of sun protection measures, including sunscreen. The city of Deer Park and ITC contracted with a company called CTEH to conduct hand-held air monitoring. ", In the same press conference, Adam Adams, the federal on-scene commander for the EPA, said that air monitoring results, "have been consistent - no detections [of benzene].". The chemical formula of benzene is C 6 H 6 , so it consists of six carbon . Then, you should speak with a toxic torts lawyer. Deer Park is one of a string of suburbs hugging the Houston Ship Channel, which is lined by chemical plants, refineries, smokestacks and flare towers that burn like enormous candles over a massive industrial skyline. People can also be exposed to benzene in contaminated drinking water and some foods (although the levels are usually very low). Spray sunblock and sun aftercare lotions. The EPA warned in a press release that exposure could cause headaches and nausea, and then Harris County Public Health Executive Director Dr. Umair Shah encouraged residents to call the "Ask a Nurse" hotline if they experienced symptoms. Contact us. "My soul remembers. "We care a lot. The formation of benzene from benzoate can lead to an increase in benzene content over a drug's shelf-life' and should be considered when determining the appropriate timing for benzene testing . 2018. Because of the dangerousness of the substance, various state departments, including the EPA, DHHS, and OSHA,regulate the presence of benzenein a variety of contexts. Now, Contreras is alert to strange odors in the air and watches for anything unusual at the nearby chemical plants - especially smoke. There's been a growing concern among consumers that you can never be too sure what's in the sunscreen you're using or if its claims are valid. Frequently Asked Questions on Benzene Contamination in Drugs While scientists have found that years of repeated exposure to benzene causes cancer, the long-term impact of being exposed to brief but high levels of benzene is less certain. Out of 260 samples from 168 brands sold on Amazon, at pharmacies and at box stores such as Target, 44, or about 17%, had detectable levels of benzene. TheEPA classifies benzene as a known human carcinogen. Federal rules allow benzene to be used in the manufacture of personal care products, and that can cause it to end up in goods, even if its not listed as an ingredient. Gasoline Mobile Source Air Toxics | US EPA He said they needed the money. He smelled smoke and began to experience pounding headaches. One Harris County official estimated that all together, more than 400 personnel took air samples throughout the response. Toxic benzene lingered after shelter-in-place warnings ended following Benzene was experimentally confirmed to be flat molecule by Dame Kathleen Londsale with X-ray crystallography. The federal, state and local officials who formed a "Unified Command" near the ITC facility after the fire erupted had to choose a threshold on the spot because there's no accepted national standard for how much benzene in the air should be considered dangerous. Toxic burn pits put the health of US veterans at risk. Paxton's office sued the company in 2019, but the case hasn't moved forward since 2021, according to Travis County District Court records. But the risk of explosions and chemical fires always hangs over them. When he stepped out to the backyard, a sanctuary where his family usually grills and gathers around a table to gossip, he said he experienced chest pains. The fire began after a tank's pump failed and began to leak naphtha, a highly flammable liquid. Name Carcinogenic chemical benzene found in hundreds of US personal care What Is Benzene and How Toxic Is It? - Jill Carnahan, MD Firms, FindLaws team of legal writers and attorneys, Complaint For Loss Due To Product Defect and For Discovery, Industrial cleaning and degreasing formulations, Gasoline storage, shipment, and retail operations, The air around waste sites and gas service stations, Contaminated well water, as a result of benzene leaks from underground storage tanks or hazardous waste sites containing benzene. Benzene levels in rooms containing tobacco smoke can be many times higher than normal. FDA is also aware of ingredients, such as the antifungal preservative sodium benzoate, that in combination with chemicals, such as antioxidants in a drug formulation, may yield benzene under certain conditions. A group of mostly Houston-area scientists using the most recent science on benzene exposure said that officials should have used a much more conservative threshold - 27 parts per billion in two consecutive hourly readings - and issued seven more shelter-in-place orders and 17 air quality alerts after the fire broke out. This process includes securing product samples and performing independent evaluation of collected samples to assess the data presented in the citizen petition. When inhaled or swallowed, benzene has been found to cause different types of tumors in lab animals such as rats and mice. benzene (C6H6), simplest organic, aromatic hydrocarbon and parent compound of numerous important aromatic compounds. FDA intends to issue guidance for manufacturers on recommended test methods and appropriate steps for manufacturers needing to modify their formulation or manufacturing process for a legally marketed drug product. The data was collected by a mobile laboratory that roamed the area for two months after the fire erupted - one of many air quality devices deployed to monitor pollution at the time. Benzene: What to Know - WebMD Benzene is not an ingredient intentionally used in sunscreens, but the products on Valisure's list were found to be contaminated with benzene. To be clear, benzene isn't an ingredient intentionally included in any of the Johnson & Johnson products or the ones on Valisure's list; the products were found to be contaminated with benzene. Drug manufacturers are required to ensure the safety and quality of their drugs. More than 800 students returned for classes at the elementary school the next morning. Stay away from cigarette smoke. Exposure to benzene has been linked with a higher risk of cancer, particularlyleukemiaand other cancers of blood cells. This information will help inform further updates to FDAs approach to limiting benzene levels in drug products, as appropriate. Benzene Gas Detector Market Share by 2030 - MarketWatch The lab, Valisure, last year detected benzene in hand sanitizers, sunscreens, deodorant, dry shampoos, conditioners, antiperspirants, deodorants, body sprays and anti-fungal treatments. Hemminger, the former Deer Park official, said in an interview that the city only warned residents if emissions exceeded the "action level" within the city's boundaries and were expected to linger, based on weather forecasts and subsequent readings. It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ", "They are striking concentrations of benzene," Shonkoff said. When more foam was applied, he added, the benzene levels would drop. With exposures from less than five years to more than 30 years, individuals have developed, and died from, leukemia. Benzene is a colorless or light-yellow liquid chemical at room temperature. : 601-020-00-8 CAS-No. Benzene levels are regulated in drinking water nationally and internationally, and in bottled water in the United States, but only informally in soft drinks. Before noon Thursday - after a little under eight hours - the city of Deer Park lifted the shelter-in-place advisory. Benzene is released into the air in cigarette smoke, emissions from automobiles, and burning coal and oil. In its report, Valisure argues that sunscreen production does not require benzene and that the FDA should "better define limits for benzene contamination in drug and cosmetic products." A few hours later, around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, two people working on cleanup operations at the ITC plant became ill and went home. People can be exposed to benzene from gasoline fumes, automobile exhaust, emissions from some factories, and wastewater from certain industries. "I would definitely say that [people nearby] have an increased risk," said Zhang. But the foam ripped apart with each big gust of wind and quickly dissolved on the hot chemicals like whipped cream melting on hot coffee. "I don't believe that most companies are trying to deceive the public or are overstating their potency, safety, or protection intentionally; however, there are some real failures within the systems that are cause for concern.". With fire out, officials declare victory - March 20, 2019. "That almost killed some firefighters," Royall said. Contact a qualified product liability attorney to make sure your rights are protected. By Wednesday afternoon, four days after the ITC plant ignited, federal, state and local officials hosted a press conference to announce the fire was finally out. She then watched as the smoke plume settled above the mourning family during the funeral service. Harris County produced an analysis of what went wrong during the response. An official website of the United States government, : The site is secure. Among the recalled hand sanitizer brands are Art Naturals, Best Brands and Natural Wunderz. A: FDA has been working with companies to address benzene issues in drugs prior to March 2021, including through recalls. The NTP has classified benzene as known to be a human carcinogen.. "Even if I didn't want to, I had to.". FDA will advise on appropriate next steps such as notifying any entity that received contaminated API. Benzene is a colorless, flammable and toxic liquid with carcinogenic properties that has a sweet, gasoline-like odor. When working at potentially higher exposure levels, OSHA requires employers to provide personal protective equipment such as respirators. ", High levels of benzene detected for two weeks after the ITC fire. But she added that it would be difficult to determine for sure. A lot of people have become wary of chemical sunscreens (formulas that incorporate chemicals rather than minerals to block UV rays) following reports that the FDA is evaluating their safety and that they may harm coral reefs. Benzene has a sweet aromatic odor. But a draft shared with the Tribune shows that while it identifies 22 chemicals, including benzene, that could threaten residents' health, it does not set a specific threshold for issuing a shelter-in-place advisory. "Benzene is an organic compound known to be a carcinogen, which means it has been associated with the development of cancers," explains Joshua Zeichner, M.D . "I'm not sure whether we really got there," he said. High levels of exposure can cause both short-term and long-term health effects. Provides references that aid in recognizing hazards and the health effects associated with benzene in the workplace. It's the dead of summer, so chances are you've been putting your sunscreen stash to good use. Contacting the Drug Shortages Staff in writing allows manufacturers of certain covered drug products to meet applicable obligations to report discontinuances or interruptions in drug manufacture under 21 U.S.C. CDC | Facts About Benzene But the description of the compounds in Aromatic 200 does not fit that of benzene, said Raynor, the University of Minnesota professor. All rights reserved. The Global Benzene Gas Detector market is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate during the forecast period, between 2022 and 2030. It's also found in all fossil fuels, and anytime you burn anything from a wood-burning fire to a candle you are exposed to benzene.". Which sunscreens were found to contain benzene? ITC said in a statement that morning that air monitoring readings were "well below hazardous levels." FDA has discussed with manufacturers conducting risk assessments to evaluate the possible presence of benzene in their drug products and components, including active ingredients and inactive ingredients. This range is typically called the aromatic region of an 1 H NMR spectrum. In a press release that day, the city assured the public that the air quality in Deer Park was not a concern. The bigger concern is the long-term effects of low-level benzene exposure. As for the Johnson & Johnson recall? On six of those days, the spikes occurred in industrial areas near the ITC facility, but on March 31 - a full two weeks after the fire began - benzene spikes above 1,000 parts per billion were recorded in a residential area of Deer Park.
Andrew Gray Pierce Accident, Slamson The Lion Salary, Articles B