In a press release that day, the city assured the public that the air quality in Deer Park was not a concern. The map shows benzene levels along the van's route. "I'd be out here looking at the fire and start to feel my heart going crazy," he said. Benzene has been shown to cause chromosome changes in bone marrow cells in the lab. Benzene is highly volatile and exposure occurs mostly through inhalation. A group of massive tanks, some containing millions of gallons of highly flammable chemicals used to make plastic and gasoline, had caught fire at a chemical storage facility owned by Intercontinental Terminals Company, a Texas-based company owned by Japanese conglomerate Mitsui Group. A 2010 analysis in the journal Environmental Health concluded that "exposure to benzene at work increases the risk of leukemia.". Companies claim they arent adding it to their formulas, and the FDA theorized that its probably in contaminated thickening agents, preservatives, spray propellant or ethanol. Benzene belongs to a class of chemicals called volatile organic compounds, so called because they evaporate in the air. He smelled smoke and began to experience pounding headaches. An analysis of air quality data from a TCEQ's stationary Deer Park monitor southwest of City Hall shows that benzene emissions had risen early that morning to 61 parts per billion in an hour. The American Cancer Society offers programs and services to help you during and after cancer treatment. A: Benzene is a chemical used in the production of a wide range of industrial products, including chemicals, dyes, detergents, and some plastics. Integrated Risk Information System: Benzene (CASRN 71-43-2). The city also released a statement that day to its residents: "We did not receive any readings above actionable levels over the weekend," it said, citing data from CTEH, the company the city and ITC had contracted to conduct air monitoring. "I don't think anyone really understood the magnitude," Craft said. "Benzene really shouldn't be there at all," he said. Benzene is a potentially dangerous chemical. It is harmful to the eyes, skin, airway, nervous system, and lungs. IARC classifies benzene as carcinogenic to humans, based on sufficient evidence that it causes acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Benzene is used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents, pesticides, and other chemicals. The lawsuit also asks that the company pay for residents' future doctor visits and tests for cancer. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Workers may be harmed from exposure to benzene. Together, were making a difference and you can, too. Benzene is a colorless or light-yellow liquid chemical at room temperature. On May 25, the company released a report after testing 294 sunscreens and sun aftercare products and found 78 of them contained benzene, a known carcinogen that has been linked to harmful effects in humans such as cancer and other serious medical conditions. Benzene Factsheet. Benzene levels are regulated in drinking water nationally and internationally, and in bottled water in the United States, but only informally in soft drinks. Its vapor is heavier than air and may sink into low-lying areas. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo assured the public during a press conference that afternoon that the county was using "very conservative estimates to determine the threshold of dangerous levels of air quality.". 356C(b) and FDAs associated regulations. Provides assistance and information about the management of occupational exposures to benzene. 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. Become a volunteer, make a tax-deductible donation, or participate in a fundraising event to help us save lives. Whether you want to learn about treatment options, get advice on coping with side effects, or have questions about health insurance, were here to help. At the ITC tank farm, the fire was out, but a new danger emerged. In a statement, EPA spokesperson Joe Robledo clarified that benzene readings below the 1,000 parts per billion action level did not prompt notifications to the public. ANSI Z37.4, Acceptable Concentrations of Benzene. Paxton's office sued the company in 2019, but the case hasn't moved forward since 2021, according to Travis County District Court records. "It was a very challenging, very dangerous situation," Royall, who is now retired, recalled. The recall applies to all can sizes and SPF levels, according to the press release, and you can check your Aveeno or Neutrogena sunscreen's lot number, label, and expiration date to confirm if yours is affected on Neutrogena's website. ", 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].". 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. This can help lower your exposure to exhaust fumes, which contain benzene (as well as other potentially harmful chemicals). ", "Benzene is associated with cancer usually after long durations (decades) of exposure," DSHS spokesperson Lara Anton said in a statement. Mary Ann Conteras, a 58-year-old assistant director at Rosewood Funeral Home, noticed the black dust accumulating on her van's windshield as she drove flowers to a Pasadena cemetery seven miles from the ITC facility. FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. "With possible catastrophic consequences if we failed.". Some states may have lower limits. The analysis did not take into account the fact that hundreds of people actually sought medical care during the incident. "Anytime you see any kind of black smoke out there, it's not good," he said. Protons directly attached to an aromatic ring, commonly called aryl protons, show up about 6.5-8.0 PPM. Locals say they love their community - where block after block of single-family homes are surrounded by lush yards - because it's quiet, safe and has great schools. Pharmaceutical Quality Resources, Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Development and Readiness Pilot (CDRP) Program, Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) Regulations, Questions and Answers on Quality-Related Controlled Correspondence, FDA alerts drug manufacturers to the risk of benzene contamination in certain drugs, Q3C Impurities: Residual Solvents guidance, Division of Pharmaceutical Quality Operations in the Office of Regulatory Affairs, Field Alert Report Submission: Questions and Answers Guidance for Industry, appropriate ORA Division Recall Coordinators, Field Alert Reports are required for ANDAs and NDAs with such findings for distributed drug products (21 CFR 314.81(b)(1)). "What we're seeing is a fundamental problem in the manufacturing of a lot of consumer products." To date, Valisure has tested 662 . In many cases, Valisure found one batch of a product would contain benzene while another of the same product would not. If you have been injured, it's in your best interests to seek immediate medical treatment. Scientists at the indepenent analytical lab Valisure have found benzene in numerous consumer health and beauty product samples. In March 2021, FDA received a citizen petition raising concerns about the level of benzene in certain hand sanitizers and other products. 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. Now, Contreras is alert to strange odors in the air and watches for anything unusual at the nearby chemical plants - especially smoke. But what Ochoa and other residents weren't told by federal, state and local officials at the time was that long after the fire was extinguished and life seemed to go back to normal, an invisible danger remained. By FindLaw Staff | 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. Deer Park resident Eddie Guevara, 19, was working a Sunday shift at a chemical plant in La Porte, a town just east of Deer Park, the day the ITC fire broke out. The public was not warned the entire day. Levels of benzene can be higher in enclosed spaces with unventilated fumes from gasoline, glues, solvents, paints, and art supplies. Residents didn't learn of the high benzene levels until a 10 a.m. press conference on Monday, when Adams, the federal on-scene coordinator for the EPA, said there was a benzene spike that weekend above the action level "in the community" - he didn't say where - and added that the agency notified local officials. "You want to be able to trust officials and ITC representatives telling people you will be OK," Guevara said. Benzene is one of the 20 most widely used chemicals in the United States. Deer Park officials appeared to rely more on air monitoring readings from its hired contractor than the EPA's. Rodney Reed, an assistant chief at the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office who worked in the county's emergency operations center at the time, said when officials spotted spikes in benzene emissions, they called Unified Command, "and they'd [say] they had a break of the foam blanket.". These tests can only detect recent exposures to benzene. One of the readings occurred two blocks south of the elementary school, in a neighborhood near the intersection of East San Augustine Street and East Boulevard. The chemical formula of benzene is C 6 H 6 , so it consists of six carbon . 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. Contact us. During this time, FDA has also been working with companies on multiple recalls related to the identification of unacceptable levels of benzene in drugs. Specifically, the ICH Q3C guidance explains that Class 1 solvents such as benzene should not be employed in the manufacture of drug substances, excipients, or drug products because of their unacceptable toxicity. The Tribune's analysis shows that benzene levels continued to spike close to, but not surpassing, 1,000 parts per billion for the rest of that Sunday morning in residential areas of Deer Park. Some residents still blame the incident for lingering health problems. 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. "[He was] gasping for air in his sleep.". "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. Tumori. It may appear colorless . 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. Benzene is an organic chemical compound with the molecular formula C 6 H 6. Later that morning, EPA inspectors with handheld devices also recorded elevated benzene concentrations in the same area - including one reading above 1,000 parts per billion. As a result, there are strict controls on benzene emissions. And now, Johnson & Johnson is voluntarily recalling five of its Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens some of which were mentioned in Valisure's report after their own internal testing found low levels of benzene in some samples of the products, according to a company press release. Drug manufacturers with a risk for benzene contamination should test their drugs accordingly and should not release any drug product batch that contains benzene above 2 ppm, consistent with the recommendations described in the ICH Q3C guidance. 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. 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. 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. ITC said in a written statement that it continues to implement "enhancements to safety, environmental integrity and emergency response capabilities" at its Deer Park location. Interventions to reduce both work and general population exposure include promoting the use of alternative solvents in industrial processes, developing and implementing policies and legislation to remove benzene from consumer products, discouraging domestic use of benzene . That day - four days after the ITC fire began - the EPA finally deployed its air monitoring bus, the rolling lab that could sample the air while it drove. 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. FDA recommends consumers use broad spectrum sunscreens with SPF values of at least 15, which have been shown to reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging when used with other sun protection measures. He said county officials didn't feel they were being told everything they needed to know. Yet throughout the area that day, residents from Deer Park and surrounding cities swarmed the pop-up county health clinics complaining of eye, ear, nose and throat irritation, severe headaches and trouble breathing. Ten of the tanks - each big enough to hold more than 3 million gallons of chemicals - collapsed, sending chemicals gushing into the nearby ship channel and killing birds and fish. More about sun protection and sunscreens can be found on the FDA website. We continually gain additional knowledge about drugs which allows us to identify and quickly address previously unknown risks to consumers. It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable. As FDA works to better understand the potential sources of benzene in drugs, FDA reminds manufacturers of drugs marketed under approved applications and manufacturers of other drugs, including over-the-counter monograph drug products, of their obligation to ensure their products conform to appropriate quality specifications. At room temperature, benzene is a clear, colorless-to-light yellow liquid that is highly flammable. Benzene is produced by both natural and man-made processes. Several school administrators who worked for the district in 2019 did not recall being informed about high levels of benzene near the elementary school on March 31, Matt Lucas, director of communications for Deer Park ISD, said in an email. After two days of vomiting and "a piercing headache, behind your eyes," he said, he drove himself to a nearby hospital Tuesday morning. Deer Park said in a statement later that day that the city was obtaining "normal levels" of air pollutants. 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. Federal Register. "Or, they still don't. Q: Is benzene in drugs a new problem? "To me, it's no joke," he said, adding that he worries about whether the fumes he breathed could increase his risk of cancer. As one of the most commonly-made chemicals in the United States, benzene is often used to make many other chemicals. But Valisure, an online pharmacy that conducts routine batch tests of common consumer health products, recently shared some not-so-amazing findings about some sunscreens that may already be on your shelf. TCEQ's stationary air monitor indicates that benzene concentrations in Deer Park had reduced to more typical levels by the late afternoon. First, yes, sunscreen itself is safe and can help protect against skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States (it also helps curb premature aging). Accessed at https://iris.epa.gov/ChemicalLanding/&substance_nmbr=276 on January 25, 2023. 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. Benzene 71-43-2 Hazard Summary Benzene is found in the air from emissions from burning coal and oil, gasoline service stations, and motor vehicle exhaust. A low white blood cell count, which can lower the bodys ability to fight infections and might even be life-threatening. Several national and international agencies study substances in the environment to determine if they can cause cancer. Long term exposure to benzene through inhalation, oral intake, and skin absorption may result in cancers such as leukemia and other blood disorders. "Sufficiently protective values must be balanced against the inherent risk associated with actions such as evacuation.". "Do you have anything that you can cover up with?" Valisure is now petitioning for the Food and Drug Administration to recall the products on its list. "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 . Eddie Guevara, who's now 22, said officials should have been more honest with the public. He was checking the windsocks mounted around the plant and jotting down the direction of the wind to help the plant workers plan the best evacuation route - just in case. 2003. Benzene is an aromatic compound emitted by crude oil. Guevara worries that his family won't know the full impact of their benzene exposure for years. FDA will advise on appropriate next steps such as notifying any entity that received contaminated API. FDA has ongoing assessment, surveillance, compliance and pharmaceutical quality efforts across every product area, and we will continue to work with drug manufacturers to ensure the availability of safe and effective drugs for the American public. Certainly, over-exposure to benzene in any setting might generate a legal claim against the institution or person that caused the exposure. These results support the finding of an excess risk of leukemia in humans. Air toxics include benzene and other hydrocarbons such as 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and naphthalene. But the description of the compounds in Aromatic 200 does not fit that of benzene, said Raynor, the University of Minnesota professor. If any readings crossed that threshold, Adams said the agencies would notify local officials and the public. Extrapolated across the state as a whole, the benzene leakage from gas appliances is the equivalent of adding 60,000 passenger cars to the roadventing their exhaust directly into your kitchen. But they kept working. Cancer Information, Answers, and Hope. "I was gasping for air.". Beyond the fact that any amount of benzene in sunscreens is concerning, 14 sunscreen samples actually tested above that 2 ppm threshold, containing between 2.78 and 6.26 ppm of benzene. Certain hand sanitizers and aerosol drug products have been recalled due to benzene contamination. TCEQ inspectors recorded three benzene spikes on handheld air monitoring devices above 1,000 parts per billion on East Boulevard the morning of March 31. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. The plus and minus signs shown in the diagram do not . The highest benzene levels among the dry shampoos were found in a popular brand called Not Your Mother's, which touts its "clean, quality ingredients." Other brands found to have elevated . ", "They are striking concentrations of benzene," Shonkoff said. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. keys to navigate, use enter to select, Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. Drug manufacturers should contact FDA using the information provided in FDAs alert if their testing reveals benzene in a product. Despite the large monitoring effort primarily led by the feds and the state, the results were "limited," often delayed, and not always immediately provided to local officials, according to a Harris County report. However, its nearly impossible to legally prove that one specific chemical has caused an illness, and Andrews noted benzene has a latency period of 10 to 15 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed air monitoring data from the incident and found that the concentrations of benzene exceeded what the agency considers safe - but did not believe they were high enough to cause widespread cases of cancer. 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. For two months after the 2019 fire, an Environmental Protection Agency van traveled around a region east of Houston capturing thousands of measurements of benzene - a known human carcinogen that can cause headaches, nausea and other symptoms. SPF and Sun Protection Myths to Stop Believing, Stat, The 11 Best Sunscreens for Your Face, According to Customer Reviews, The Best Zinc Oxide Sunscreens That Won't Make You Feel Greasy, Dry Shampoo from Dove, Suave, and More Brands Recalled Due to Benzene, Banana Boat Recalled a Sunscreen Spray Due to Benzene Here's What You Need to Know, A New Study Found the Carcinogen Benzene In 59 Popular Deodorant and Antiperspirant Sprays, High Levels of BPA Were Found In Sports Bras and Athletic Shirts from Popular Brands, What to Know About the Thinx Period Underwear Lawsuit, The FDA Is Proposing New Guidelines for Sunscreen That Could Change What You See On Shelves, These Cacao Health Benefits Are Sure to Blow Your Mind, The 2022 Shape Beauty Awards: The Best Skin-Care, Hair, Makeup, and Body Products to Buy, Procter and Gamble Issued a Recall On Dry Shampoos Due to Benzene, Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin That Offers Protection Without the Irritation, Frequent Use of Chemical Hair Straighteners May Increase Risk of Uterine Cancer Here's What You Need to Know, These Spirulina Benefits Will Make a Splash, I'm an SPF Newbie, But This Supergoop Sunscreen Is Already My Favorite, These Beauty Products Still Use Formaldehyde Here's Why You Should Care, find the full list on page 12 of the report here, Neutrogena Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen, Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen, one of the recalled Neutrogena and Aveeno. Several US government agencies regulate benzene levels and exposures. Manufacturers should also be prepared to provide FDA with test results and any information available on the potential source of the benzene to assist in FDAs analysis. "ITC cares," she said, as her eyes filled with tears. Drug manufacturers are required to ensure the safety and quality of their drugs. Almost 1,000 people swarmed to temporary mobile health clinics in Deer Park that operated for three days after the fire started, and Texas Poison Center Network records show its hotline received almost 200 calls reporting chemical exposure from the ITC fire over a more than two-week period. Then, Unified Command notified local authorities. ", Benzene pollution lingers as life returns to normal - March 25-29, 2019. A final report is expected this year. A massive 2005 explosion at a BP refinery in Texas City, about 35 miles to the south next to Galveston Bay, killed 15 workers and injured nearly 200 others. FDA reminds drug manufacturers they are required to establish scientifically sound and appropriate specifications and test procedures to assure drug components (active and inactive ingredients) and finished drug products conform to appropriate quality specifications (21 CFR 211.84, 21 CFR 211.160). "It's horrifying, scary. Benzene can also be absorbed through the skin during contact with a source such as gasoline, but because liquid benzene evaporates quickly, this is less common. Long-term . Accessed at https://publications.iarc.fr/123 on January 25, 2023. The site is secure. "Even if I didn't want to, I had to.". Ochoa quit his job as a pipe-fitter and found a job that doesn't expose him to chemicals. The affected sunscreens: Neutrogena Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Invisible Daily defense aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer aerosol sunscreen, and Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen. The FDAs system really lacks independent review because it relies on companies to self report, Light said. "We are monitoring the air continuously, and there's nothing that's even come close to registering any kind of action item.". Areas with heavy traffic, gas stations, and areas near industrial sources may also have higher air levels. Anita Desikan, one of the authors of a December 2022 study of the ITC fire and a senior analyst for the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the action level used during the ITC incident was "out of line with basically every other measure I've seen [for] benzene. (The bone marrow is where new blood cells are made.) Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene has been tied to thedevelopment of leukemiaand other cancers, as well as various menstrual issues in women and birth defects in their children.

City Of Maricopa Police Scanner, Gbh Section 20 Suspended Sentence, Dematha Basketball Roster 1988, Breakfast With A View Phoenix, Articles B