LOS ANGELES - An independent study found that several commonly used brands of sunscreen in the U.S. contain high levels of a chemical known to cause cancer.Out of nearly 300 different sunscreen products, 27% contained benzene, according to Valisure, an online pharmacy that tests medications and supplements for safety and consistency.
Valisure says it analyzed 294 unique batches of sunscreen from 69 different companies. 14 batches of sunscreen contained between 2.78 and 6.26 parts per million of benzene.
Currently, the FDA has a conditional restriction on benzene in products set at 2 parts per million. But the agency says "if their use is unavoidable in order to produce a drug product with a significant therapeutic advance, then their levels.