Valisure, a firm that performs laboratory testing of consumer products, has unveiled the results of its latest study on popular body sprays.
Valisure analyzed 108 batches from 30 different brands and found them to be highly variable, changing from batch to batch.
In the end, they determined that 59 antiperspirant and deodorant body spray products contained benzene.
Benzene is described by the FDA as a known carcinogen and the findings led Valisure to petition for a recall of affected products.
In the wake of the report, Procter & Gamble has voluntarily recalled 17 types of Secret and Old Spice deodorant and antiperspirant sprays.
P&G says it “has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall and is conducting this recall out of an abundance of caution.”
Other brands found to contain benzene include certain products from Tag, Sure, Equate, Suave, Brut, Summer's Eve, Right Guard, Power Stick, Soft & Dri and Victoria's Secret.
Valisure says “propellants” like butane, isobutane, propane, and alcohol commonly used in body sprays “could potentially be sources of benzene contamination.”