The news that benzene has been found at high levels in numerous dry shampoo brands has shed further light on the presence of this cancer-causing substance in consumer products.
As media have reported, 70 per cent of dry shampoos tested by Valisure, an independent laboratory in the US, found many containing high levels of the carcinogen.
The findings, released at the beginning of this month, are of particular concern because dry shampoos are administered using aerosols, so benzene may linger in the air and be breathed in over time.
Just last month, other dry shampoos were recalled because of concerns about benzene levels. Last year, Valisure raised the alarm about levels of benzene in hand sanitisers, body sprays and sunscreens, several of which were also recalled.
These findings are the highest and most broadly detected levels of benzene observed by Valisure to-date in a consumer product category
Valisure laboratory report
Here we look at the laboratory's most recent findings and consider what they mean.
What was found in the dry shampoos?
Valisure analysed 148 batches from 34 dry shampoo brands. It found that 70 per cent (103 batches out of 148) had levels of benzene above the safe limit for drugs of two parts per million (ppm) specified by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Some drugs require benzene for there to be a therapeutic effect, but the presence of benzene in dry shampoos, even at low levels, is not necessary.
As a result, in a "citizen petition" to the FDA, Valisure’s chief executive, David Light, and the organisation’s head of global analytics, Dr Qian Wu, said "any significant detection of benzene could be deemed unacceptable".
One dry shampoo brand contained levels up to 170 times the FDA limit, while 11 samples had concentrations more than 10 times the limit.
"These findings are the highest and most broadly detected levels of benzene observed by Valisure to-date in a consumer product category," the laboratory said.
Because the products are used indoors, where the benzene "may linger and be inhaled for prolonged periods of time", Mr Light said the detection of high levels was "a significant cause for concern".
Just last month, the FDA reported that high levels of benzene had caused Unilever in the US to issue "a voluntary product recall" for some batches of Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head), and TRESemmé dry shampoos.
The carcinogen was present because of the propellant used, and Unilever was said to be working with the supplier to deal with the issue.
What is benzene?
Benzene is a hydrocarbon that is usually obtained from crude oil. Although a carcinogen, it has valuable functions, being used today in the production of everything from insecticides to plastics.
The harm that benzene can cause was identified more than 80 years ago. It may cause short-term irritation and, more seriously, acute myeloid leukaemia and other types of cancer.
In the past, before it was found to cause cancer, benzene was an ingredient in cosmetics and cleaning products, and was even used in the process of decaffeinating coffee, Public Health England states in an online briefing document.
"Benzene is ubiquitous in the environment," the FDA said in a statement last month. "Humans around the world have daily exposures to it indoors and outdoors from multiple sources."
Some people have higher exposure because of their jobs, because of where they live (as a result of pollution) or if they smoke.
Benzene is found in petrol and vehicle exhausts, but levels are lower than they used to be.
Employees can be exposed to benzene at chemical and petrochemical plants, and oil refineries, although regulations should reduce risks.
People can take in benzene through their skin or eyes, by breathing it in or by eating or drinking substances that contain the chemical.
What is happening now over benzene in dry shampoos?
In statements reported by US media, several producers of dry shampoos highlighted in the latest results as having high levels of benzene, including Batiste and Not Your Mother’s, said that propellants from suppliers were the source of the chemical. These propellants reportedly were not supposed to contain benzene.
Some manufacturers said their own testing had not detected benzene and indicated that they would look further into Valisure’s findings.
In its citizen petition, Valisure requested that the FDA ask for a recall of high-benzene batches of dry shampoo because they were "contaminated with a known human carcinogen".
Valisure also recommended that the FDA update its regulations and clarify that there is "no acceptable level of benzene in cosmetic products and establish a reasonable detection limit".
The FDA has yet to respond publicly to the latest findings from Valisure.
Cancer-causing hidden nitrates found in processed foods - in pictures
Company profile
Name: Steppi
Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic
Launched: February 2020
Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year
Employees: Five
Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings
Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Another way to earn air miles
In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.
“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Engine: 5-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 680Nm
Price: Dh465,071
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SEMI-FINAL
Monterrey 1
Funes Mori (14)
Liverpool 2
Keita (11), Firmino (90 1)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
De De Pyaar De
Produced: Luv Films, YRF Films
Directed: Akiv Ali
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Rakul Preet Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jaaved Jaffrey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
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