Benzene in cosmetic products: Non cancer and cancer risk assessment
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Cosmetics are commonly used products which range from everyday hygiene products such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, and luxury beauty items including perfumes and makeup. Most cosmetics are used by adults, although some products such as sunscreen and shampoo, which are also used by children. Recently, some cosmetic products have been reported to be contaminated with benzene. A risk assessment was performed to evaluate the non-cancer and cancer human health risks of benzene in these leave-on cosmetic products (deodorants and sunscreens) through dermal and inhalation pathways. The quantitative risk assessment estimated potential systemic exposure doses. The non-cancer risk assessment of benzene in cosmetics resulted in a margin of safety greater than 100. The probability of lifetime cancer risk resulting from dermal and inhalation exposure to benzene from cosmetics was 2.4 x 10-6 i.e. lower than an excess cancer risk of 10-5 (< 10–5) used as a WHO benchmark. The results of this study suggest that there is no indication of increased risk of non-cancer and cancer risks in humans from exposure to benzene in cosmetics, especially as it is extremely unlikely that a consumer would use deodorants and sunscreens contaminated with benzene on a daily basis for a lifetime.
Source: Toxicology Reports
Authors: Abhishek Gautam, Peter J Cressey
Language: English
Subfield: Cancer Research
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,530
OpenAlex ID: W4414805665