Sunscreen Sold In NJ Recalled Over Possible Cancer-Causing Chemical

NEW JERSEY — With the Jersey Shore tourism season in full swing and another heatwave in the forecast, New Jersey residents and visitors will apply plenty of sunscreen in the coming days. But those protecting themselves from the sun's rays should check which product they're using because of a recent recall.

The parent company of Banana Boat sunscreen products has issued a voluntary recall of several batches of the brand's hair and scalp sunscreen spray because it may contain a cancer-causing chemical known as benzene. See the full recall notice.

The recall, issued by Shelton-based Edgewell Personal Care Co., affects three batches of the spray, which were distributed nationwide through various retailers, both in-store and online. Retailers have been asked to remove any recalled product from shelves.

According to an alert posted by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, an internal review found that some samples of the product contained trace levels of benzene.

Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, according to the FDA. Benzene exposure can happen when breathed, ingested or absorbed through the skin, and can potentially result in leukemia, blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders. All can be life-threatening.

While benzene is not listed as an ingredient in any Banana Boat products, the review showed benzene likely came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can.

The recall impacts the following products:

Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30, 6 oz.

UPC: 0-79656-04041-8
Lot code: 20016AF
Expiration: December 2022

UPC: 0-79656-04041-8
Lot code: 20084BF
Expiration: February 2023

UPC: 0-79656-04041-8
Lot code: 21139AF
Expiration: April 2024

No other batches of hair and scalp spray or other Banana Boat products are affected by the recall, according to the FDA notice. No adverse reactions have been reported to date, according to the recall.

Consumers who bought a recalled product should throw it away and stop using it immediately. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Edgewell Personal Care at 888-686-3988. Consumers may also visit www.bananaboat.com for more information and to learn how to receive reimbursement if they purchased a recalled product.

Meanwhile, New Jerseyans can expect several days of temperatures that feel higher than 100 degrees this week, according to forecasters. The heat wave that has been responsible for the record-breaking scorching temperatures in the Northwest will shift eastward during the first week of August, according to AccuWeather, bringing temperatures from near-average levels to 5-15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.

The hottest day of the week appears to be Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, where temperatures in the 90s could feel as hot as near or above 100 degrees, possibly warranting a heat advisory. Read more: NJ Heat Index Likely Over 100 Degrees This Week: NWS