Environmental Chemical Testing

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, January 4, 2024

Last month, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) posted information about the voluntary recall of two lots of an over-the-counter antifungal athlete’s foot spray to the consumer level. The recall is due to the presence of elevated levels of benzene in the product.

According to the recall risk statement:

Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin and it potentially can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life threatening.

Benzene is not an ingredient in this antifungal product according to the manufacturer, unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can. The aerosol product was distributed nationwide in the United States through retailers and online. Consumers have been advised to immediately stop using the affected products.

This is not the first recall in recent years of an aerosol product due to concerns about the presence of benzene. Other foot products and aerosol sunscreen products, made by different manufacturers, have also been recalled due to this same issue.

“At EMSL Analytical, our consumer product, industrial hygiene and environmental laboratories offer benzene and other chemical testing services,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “These testing resources can be instrumental for protecting the public from exposure risks and for preventing these types of costly product recalls.”

EMSL has also sponsored an educational video about benzene exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/wqByUP13-Hk

To learn more about consumer product, indoor air quality, industrial hygiene or environmental testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.
 

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.