Unilever Dry Shampoo Brands are Recalled
Due to suspected to contain benzene, a chemical compound that can cause cancer. Popular dry shampoo aerosol products distributed in the United States have just been voluntarily recalled by Unilever.
This British multinational company withdrawn several dry shampoo brands such as Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TRESemme, and others from The U.S. and Canada Market.
These are List of Affected Products include:
Dove
- Dove Dry Shampoo Volume and Fullness
- Dove Dry Shampoo Fresh Coconut
- Dove Dry Shampoo Fresh and Floral
- Dove Dry Shampoo Ultra Clean
- Dove Dry Shampoo Invisible
- Dove Dry Shampoo Detox and Purify
- Dove Dry Shampoo Clarifying Charcoal
- Dove Dry Shampoo Go Active
Nexxus
- Nexxus Dry Shampoo Refreshing Mist
- Nexxus Inergy Foam Shampoo
Suave
- Suave Dry Shampoo Hair Refresher
- Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Refresh and Revive
TRESemmé
- TRESemmé Dry Shampoo Volumizing
- TRESemmé Dry Shampoo Fresh and Clean
- TRESemmé Pro Pure Dry Shampoo
Bed Head
- Bed Head Oh Bee Hive Dry Shampoo
- Bed Head Oh Bee Hive Volumizing Dry Shampoo
- Bed Head Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo
Rockaholic
- Bed Head Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, benzene exposure, which is categorized as a human carcinogen, can occur through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact and can cause diseases like leukemia and blood cancers.
What is Benzene?
So, what exactly is benzene? Why can it be found in dry shampoo products that are currently widely used?
According CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response, benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid. Benzene also easily evaporates in the air when exposed to heat. Benzene floats on top of water and barely slightly dissolves in it.
Benzene is widely used in textiles and household products. Mainly for the manufacture of other chemicals, including plastics, lubricants, rubber, dyes, detergents, medicines, to pesticides. No wonder this substance is found in dry shampoo products.
However, benzene is a dangerous chemical. High levels of exposure can cause both short-term and long-term health effects.
Short Term Effects of Benzene Exposure
When you are exposed to high doses of benzene, the nervous system will be disturbed. The effect that will appear such as drowsiness, dizziness, headache, tremors, confusion, or unconsciousness.
If you accidentally consume benzene it will cause nausea, vomiting, stomach irritation, dizziness, seizures, and a fast heart rate. In extreme cases, inhaling or ingesting very high levels of benzene can be lethal.
Long Term Effects of Benzene Exposure
Long-term effects of benzene exposure can damage the bone marrow. This can cause various diseases that are quite dangerous. These diseases, for example;
1. Anemia and body bruising
High benzene exposure can affect the production of red blood cells. This is related to the damaged bone marrow. A low blood platelet can cause excessive bruising and bleeding.
2. Immunity problems
The amount of white blood cell will be impaired due to benzene exposure. The white blood cell count can decrease the body’s ability to fight infection and can even be life-threatening.
Women who inhale high levels of benzene for months have irregular menstrual periods and shrinking of the ovaries, but it is not known for certain whether benzene causes these effects. It is also not known whether benzene exposure affects the fetus in pregnant women or fertility in men.
