In a concerning development, an independent laboratory, Valisure, has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recall several acne products from the market. The laboratory conducted tests on various treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide and found dangerously high levels of benzene, a known carcinogen that can cause cancer.

Valisure's tests revealed that some products contained benzene at concentrations over 800 times higher than the FDA's "conditionally restricted" level. Benzene has previously prompted recalls of shampoo products, deodorants, and sunscreens due to its potential health risks.

The FDA states that exposure to benzene can occur via inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact, and it can lead to life-threatening cancers such as leukemia and blood cancer. Shockingly, Valisure discovered that benzene even leaked out of product packages, posing an inhalation risk.

In one particular test, Valisure left a Proactiv product in a hot car for almost 17 hours at a scorching 158 degrees Fahrenheit. The laboratory found benzene levels in the car's cabin to be approximately 1,270 times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency's threshold for increased cancer risk from long-term inhalation exposure to benzene.

Valisure's extensive testing included popular brands like Estee Lauder's Clinique, Clearasil, Target's Up & Up, and Walmart's Equate beauty line. The laboratory has concluded that benzoyl peroxide (BPO) medications, as currently formulated, are fundamentally unstable and can generate unacceptably high levels of benzene when exposed to higher temperatures during handling by consumers. The presence of benzene can arise within the product itself and potentially escape into the surrounding air.

Notably, other products that utilize salicylic acid or adapalene did not exhibit the same issue. However, Valisure is specifically urging the FDA to investigate and withdraw BPO-containing products from the market.

In response to Valisure's findings, Reckitt, the manufacturer of popular Clearasil acne products, dismissed the results as reflecting "unrealistic scenarios" rather than real-world conditions. Reckitt emphasized that their treatments are safe when used and stored in accordance with the label instructions.

As the petition calls for immediate action, it remains to be seen how the FDA will respond to Valisure's request for a market withdrawal of the identified acne products. Consumers are advised to stay informed and follow any updates or statements issued by the FDA regarding this matter.