High levels of the carcinogen benzene have been found in many common acne treatments containing benzoyl peroxide, according to an article published in Bloomberg. Benzene, a natural component of gasoline and tobacco, can cause leukemia and has been found in many products—sparking a series of recalls from companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble. Recently, the independent laboratory Valisure analyzed 66 benzoyl peroxide creams, lotions, gels, and washes to determine whether they exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limit of 2 parts per million (ppm) of benzene. They discovered high levels of benzene up to nine times greater than the FDA limit among the products, and when tested at higher temperatures to replicate the breakdown process of benzoyl peroxide into benzene, the carcinogen’s levels rose significantly. For instance, Proactiv’s 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream, Target’s 2.5% cream, Clinique’s 2.5% cream, Clearasil’s 10% cream, and Walgreens’ 10% cream contained 1,761; 1,598; 401; 308; and 114 ppm of benzene, respectively. Products containing other ingredients such as salicylic acid were not found to contain elevated levels of benzene. Further, the researchers observed that the Proactiv benzoyl peroxide cream leaked high levels of benzene into the surrounding air, increasing the risk of inhalation and subsequent cancer development. Following the laboratory testing, Valisure requested that the FDA recall the products. Although the FDA has questioned Valisure’s testing methods in the past, the laboratory cited its certification from the International Organization for Standardization and raised questions regarding the FDA’s potential oversight of benzene in benzoyl peroxide products. In response, the FDA stated it would work with Valisure to validate the findings. In the meantime, researchers are currently developing a method to prevent benzoyl peroxide from breaking down into benzene. “The discovery made by Valisure regarding benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products is deeply troubling and gives renewed importance to the need to empower the FDA to immediately act once we are made aware of the dangers of prescription or over-the-counter drugs,” concluded Rosa DeLauro, U.S. Representative.