Several kinds of acne products recalled over cancer risk, FDA says

The products, which contain benzoyl peroxide, a common treatment for acne, were tested for elevated levels of benzene, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a notice this week. 

The manufacturer of Zapzyt Acne Treatment Gel also agreed to voluntarily recall the product because of an elevated level of benzene found in its own testing, the FDA said. 

The FDA explained that 90% of the 95 products with benzoyl peroxide that were tested had "undetectable or extremely low levels of benzene."

Benzene is a "chemical used in the production of a wide range of industrial products, including chemicals, dyes, detergents, and some plastics," according to the agency.

It is released into the air through "cigarette smoke, emissions from automobiles, and burning coal and oil."

While it is safe to use benzoyl peroxide in acne products, benzene contamination in small amounts over a long period of time "can decrease the formation of blood cells. Long-term exposure to benzene through inhalation, oral intake, and skin absorption may result in cancers such as leukemia and other blood disorders." 

The FDA said it started independent testing of benzoyl peroxide products after third-party test results "raised concerns about elevated levels of benzene in certain acne products." 

"FDA testing results indicate fewer products with benzene contamination than the third-party findings," the agency added. 

"This means retailers are instructed to remove products from store shelves and online marketplaces but does not specifically instruct consumers to take actions regarding products currently in their possession," the FDA said. "Even with daily use of these products for decades, the risk of a person developing cancer because of exposure to benzene found in these products is very low."