Sun Bum, Paul Mitchell, and Batiste, leading manufacturers of dry shampoos, are facing proposed class action lawsuits following reports of dangerously high benzene levels in some of their products. Benzene is a widely recognized carcinogenic impurity linked with leukemia and other forms of cancer. As we discuss below, there was a settlement in the Batiste consumer class action lawsuit of $2.5 million.
UPDATES:
$3.1 Million Settlement in Batiste Dry Shampoo Consumer Fraud Case
A federal court approved a $3.1 million settlement deal to resolve the consumer fraud class action involving Batiste dry shampoo products. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of all consumers who purchased Batiste dry shampoo products under the false assumption that the products were safe for use and did not contain harmful chemicals (i.e., benzene).
The settlement deal includes a cash fund of $2.5 million that will be used to make relatively small cash settlement payments to individual consumers. It also includes $600,000 in vouchers.
If you are bringing a claim in 2024, you are too late. But you did not miss much. See below.
The Shampoo Lawsuits
S.C. Johnson & Son, Sun Bum’s parent company, along with John Paul Mitchell Systems and Church & Dwight Co., the manufacturers of Batiste, are all implicated in these lawsuits. The lawsuits claim that benzene in these companies’ aerosol dry shampoos renders the products adulterated and misbranded, making their sale illegal under federal and state law.
The lawsuits specifically mention Sun Bum Beach Formula Dry Shampoo, Paul Mitchell Invisiblewear Brunette Dry Shampoo, and 13 varieties of Batiste dry shampoo. The presence of benzene in these products is particularly alarming given that dry shampoo is typically used in large volumes, applied directly to the scalp and hair, and predominantly used indoors, enhancing the potential for short- and long-term inhalation.
The lawsuits emphasize that benzene is not mentioned among the active or inactive ingredients listed on product labels. Benzene is a component of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke and poses a significant health hazard. The complaints assert that the defendants have misrepresented their products as benzene-free or failed to disclose the presence of benzene. Moreover, If the defendants had met their quality assurance obligations, they would have identified the benzene contamination promptly. Also, if the defendants had adequately tested for benzene and other toxins, they would have discovered that their products contained benzene levels above the FDA’s limit.
The class action complaints outline that aerosol products such as dry shampoos rely on expulsing contents from their container using liquified or compressed gas. Common aerosol propellants for consumer items include butane, isobutane, and propane, typically derived from crude oil in oil refineries. These refineries also produce other volatile hydrocarbons like benzene, leading to product contamination risk.
On October 31, 2022, Valisure, an independent laboratory, submitted a citizen petition to the FDA detailing its detection of high benzene levels in specific batches of certain dry shampoo products. Of the 148 batches from 34 brands tested, Valisure found that 70 percent, including Sun Bum, Paul Mitchell, and Batiste dry shampoos, contained benzene.
While the FDA allows up to two parts per million (ppm) of benzene in certain drug products if its use is unavoidable, the benzene levels in the defendants’ products far exceed this limit. The lawsuits argue that the dry shampoos need not contain any benzene at all. Valisure further contends that any significant detection of benzene in these dry shampoos, which contain no active pharmaceutical ingredient for therapeutic purposes, could be deemed unacceptable.
The class action lawsuits aim to represent consumers nationwide who bought the allegedly contaminated Sun Bum, Paul Mitchell, or Batiste dry shampoos for personal or household use, not for resale. These lawsuits underscore the importance of manufacturers’ responsibility to maintain product safety, transparency, and legal compliance.
About Benzene
Benzene is a colorless or light-yellow liquid chemical at room temperature. It has a sweet smell and is highly flammable. Benzene is used to manufacture a wide range of products, including plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, rubber, dyes, detergents, drugs, pesticides, and, now we know, dry shampoos. It’s also a natural component of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke.
Exposure to benzene carries several health risks, including:
- Acute Effects: Short-term exposure to high levels of benzene can cause dizziness, confusion, headache, tremors, unconsciousness, and even death in severe cases. Inhalation or ingestion of benzene can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.
- Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure to benzene can affect the bone marrow, leading to anemia and a decrease in blood platelets, which can result in excessive bleeding. It can also cause a weakened immune system, increasing the risk of infection.
- Cancer Risk: Benzene is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), meaning there’s sufficient evidence that it can cause human cancer. This is a big issue in the Camp Lejeune litigation as well. Long-term exposure to benzene has been linked to leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Some studies have also suggested a potential link between benzene exposure and other forms of cancer, such as lung and bladder cancer.
Benzene exposure can occur in several ways, including inhaling contaminated air, consuming contaminated food or water, or through skin contact with benzene-containing products. Certain occupations, such as those in the petroleum, rubber, chemical, and shoe manufacturing industries, may have higher exposure to benzene.
Given the severe health risks associated with benzene, its use is highly regulated, and alternatives are often sought in product manufacturing. Moreover, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have set strict permissible exposure limits for benzene in the workplace. However, no level of benzene exposure is considered completely safe, and efforts should always be made to minimize contact with this substance.
If a product contains benzene, it is considered adulterated and misbranded. Benzene is a toxic and harmful substance linked to cancer and is dangerous in any quantity. If the product is unsanitarily manufactured, it becomes adulterated, contaminating benzene. If the product’s labeling fails to disclose the presence of benzene or doesn’t list “benzene” as an ingredient, and if a warning about benzene is needed to prevent health hazards, the product is considered “misbranded.”
The Defendants
The defendants named in the dry shampoo benzene lawsuits include some of the leading manufacturers of hair care products in the U.S.
Sun Bum
Sun Bum is a lifestyle brand founded in 2010 in Florida, USA. The company’s mission is to protect those who live and love in the sun. Their products are inspired by the beach, embodying a laid-back, sun-soaked lifestyle. Sun Bum primarily offers a range of sun care products, including sunscreens, lip balms, and hair care products, including dry shampoos and lotions. They are known for their products’ quality – notwithstanding the benzene – which are often infused with tropical scents.
Paul Mitchell
Paul Mitchell is a renowned professional hair care brand founded in 1980 by John Paul DeJoria and Paul Mitchell, a famous hairstylist. The brand offers a diverse range of hair care products and styling tools, including shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments, and hair color products. It’s recognized for its commitment to professional hairdressers and stylists, offering them a system of high-quality, salon-only products. Paul Mitchell is also known for its social and environmental commitment, pioneering cruelty-free product testing in the beauty industry.
Batiste
Batiste is a well-known British hair care brand, particularly famous for its dry shampoo products. Founded in the 1970s, Batiste has the sharpest focus of the three on dry shampoos, seeking to offer a quick and convenient way to feel they have fresh-looking and feeling hair using a dry shampoo. The brand provides a range of dry shampoos for different hair types and colors and has expanded to various fragrances and sizes. Batiste’s products are said to refresh hair between washes, adding body and texture.
Does Batiste Contain Benzene in 2024?
Again, certain batches of Batiste Dry Shampoo were found to contain benzene, a known carcinogen. In 2024, the current batches of Batiste dry shampoo are reported to be free of benzene.
Batiste Dry Shampoo Settlement
The manufacturers of Batiste Dry Shampoo have agreed to a $2.5 million settlement in a class action lawsuit due to benzene found in the aerosol spray cans. The plaintiffs argued this exposure heightened their cancer risk. The lawsuit, initiated in November 2022, asserted that Church & Dwight, Co., the maker, was aware or should have been aware of the benzene content in its products. Nevertheless, they promoted the spray cans as a safe and efficient substitute for traditional hair washing.
To file a claim, customers needed to provide details about their purchases and select their preferred method of compensation by November 15, 2023. Sad you missed out? The Batiste settlement was not the type of money you retire on; those with proof of purchase received a full refund, while those without proof received up to $10.
This settlement is not for injury claims. This is a consumer class action lawsuit where victims will not receive significant compensation. Our law firm is not handling these claims, at least not yet.