Sunscreens, After-Sun Products & Benzene

from a recent Consumer Labs bulletin

Benzene, which has been linked to blood cancers, has been reported in a large number of sunscreens and after-sun products that were independently tested. The products included sprays, gels, lotions, and creams. Benzene was found in 43 out of 224 sunscreens and in 8 of 48 after-sun products. FDA guidance suggests that no level of benzene is safe, and it is not permitted in these or other products.

Among sunscreens, the highest average concentrations of benzene (2 ppm to 6 ppm) were in 4 sprays from the same brand -- although many other sprays and products from that brand had less or no detectable benzene. The next highest average concentrations of benzene (0.1 to 1 ppm) were in 12 products that were primarily sprays but included 4 lotions.

[UPDATE: 7/15/21: Johnson and Johnson announced the recall yesterday of all lots of 15 Neutrogena sunscreens and 1 Aveeno sunscreen, including 4 that we had listed as contaminated and 12 additional products (which have been added to our list). Internal testing by J&J identified low levels of benzene in some samples of these products.

After-sun products with the highest concentrations of benzene consisted of 4 gels and 1 spray. One of the brands of aloe vera gel found to contain a high concentration of benzene also failed to pass Consumer Lab's tests for aloe vera.

Active ingredients listed in contaminated products were also listed in products that were not contaminated, so you can't tell from these listed ingredients which products contain benzene.

We don't know the source of the benzene, but it could relate to how a particular ingredient was manufactured, where it was sourced, or how it moved through the supply chain. Consequently, products having the same ingredients can be different with regard to benzene contamination.

More about benzene: Benzene is known to cause cancer in humans according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the World Health Organization, and other regulatory agencies. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines benzene as a carcinogen and lists "inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact" as exposure routes.

Valisure, which conducted the testing, is asking for a recall of the contaminated batches and requesting FDA better define limits for benzene contamination in drug and cosmetic products. It is important to note that not all sunscreen products contain benzene and that uncontaminated products are available, should continue to be used, and are important for protecting against potentially harmful solar radiation.

Regarding the charts below:
     The highest concentrations of benzene were found in the first 4 products (2 ppm to 6 ppm) with the next 12 at 0.1 ppm to 1 ppm. Its advisable to avoid these products if possible.
 
Sunscreens:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            AVG
Brand Name/Type                                        Description                                     PPM       

Neutrogena (Spray) RECALLED ALONG WITH SPF 30, 50, AND 70 VERSIONS	Beach Defense Oil-Free Body Sunscreen Spray - SPF 100	3.18
Neutrogena (Spray)	Ultra Sheer Weightless Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70	3.02
Neutrogena (Spray) RECALLED	Invisible Daily Defense Body Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60+	2.48
Neutrogena (Spray)	Ultra Sheer Weightless Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100+	2.30
Goodsense (Lotion)	Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30	0.71
Raw Elements (Lotion)	Eco Formula Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30	0.68
Neutrogena (Spray)  RECALLED ALONG WITH SPF 50 AND 100 VERSIONS	Cooldry Sport Water-Resistant Sunscreen Spray SPF 70	0.66
Neutrogena (Spray)	Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Spray	0.49
Banana Boat (Spray)	UltraMist Deep Tanning Dry Oil Continuous Clear Spray SPF 4	0.36
Banana Boat (Spray)	Kids Max Protect & Play Sunscreen C-Spray SPF 100	0.18
Neutrogena (Spray)	Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45	0.15
Banana Boat (Spray)	Ultra Sport Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 100	0.15
Neutrogena (Lotion)	Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant Sunscreen SPF 70	0.13
Neutrogena (Spray) (RECALLED ALONG WITH SPF 70 AND 100 VERSIONS)	Cooldry Sport Water-Resistant Sunscreen Spray SPF 50	0.13
TopCare Everyday (Lotion)	Ultimate Sheer Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70	0.12
EltaMD (Spray)	UV Aero Broad-Spectrum Full- Body Sunscreen Spray, SPF 45	0.11
ADDED DUE TO RECALL: Aveeno (Spray)	Protect-Refresh SPF 60	Amount not given
CVS Health (Lotion)	70 Beach Guard Sun Sunscreen SPF 70	<0.1
La Roche-Posay (Spray)	Anthelios Sunscreen Lotion Spray SPF 60	<0.1
Aveeno (Lotion)	Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50	<0.1
Live Better by CVS Health (Spray)	Body Mineral Spray Sunscreen SPF 50	<0.1
Walgreens (Lotion)	Broad Spectrum Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen	<0.1
Raw Elements (Lotion)	Eco Formula Sunscreen Lotion Tin SPF 30	<0.1
Equate (Lotion)	Kids Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50	<0.1
Banana Boat (Spray)	Kids Sport Sunscreen Lotion Spray SPF 50	<0.1
Babyganics (Spray)	Kid's Sunscreen Continuous Spray - SPF 50	<0.1
Ethical Zinc (Lotion)	Natural Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50+	<0.1
Sun Bum (Lotion)	Oxy Free Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 50	<0.1
Banana Boat (Spray)	Protective Dry Oil Clear Sunscreen Spray with Coconut Oil SPF 15	<0.1
Solimo (Lotion)	Sheer Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 55 (842379152474 Upc Description)	<0.1
CVS Health (Spray)	Sheer Mist Spray Broad Spectrum Uva/Uvb Cont. Spray Sunscreen SPF 70	<0.1
Neutrogena (Lotion)	Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Face Sunscreen SPF 50	<0.1
Banana Boat (Spray)	Simply Protect Kids Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+	<0.1
CVS Health (Spray)	Sport Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 100+	<0.1
Walgreens (Lotion)	Sport Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50	<0.1
TopCare Everyday (Lotion)	Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70	<0.1
Max Block (Lotion)	Sport Sunscreen Lotion Water Resistance Blue 30 SPF	<0.1
Max Block (Lotion)	Sunscreen Lotion 4 Fl Oz Broad Spectrum Water Resistant SPF 30	<0.1
Walgreens (Lotion)	Sunscreen Sport SPF 50	<0.1
TopCare Everyday (Lotion)	Ultimate Sheer Sun Lotion Sunscreen SPF 55	<0.1
Banana Boat (Spray)	Ultra Defense Ultra Mist Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 100	<0.1
CVS Health (Lotion)	Ultra Sheer Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 100 (050428415528)	<0.1
CVS Health (Lotion)	Ultra Sheer Lotion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 45	<0.1
Coppertone (Spray)	Whipped Sunscreen Lotion Spray SPF 50	<0.1

 
After-Sun Products:
 

Sun Bum	Cool Down Gel	5.33
Fruit of the Earth	Aloe Vera Gel	2.78
CVS Health	Aftersun Aloe Vera Soothing Spray	2.30
CVS Health	Aftersun Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel	0.81
SunBurnt	Advanced After-Sun Gel	0.38
Sun Bum	After Sun Cool Down Aloe Vera Spray	<0.1
Walgreens	After Sun Gel	<0.1
Up & Up	Clear Aloe Vera Gel	<0.1

The Latest: Walking vs Running

by Tom Venuto 
There's so much confusion about the benefits of cardio including the effects at different intensities (low vs moderate vs vigorous). An even bigger problem is the way so many people confuse health benefits, cardio fitness benefits, and fat loss benefits (these are 3 very different subjects!).

Many fitness enthusiasts believe that unless cardio is high intensity (like interval training), it's not beneficial (a "high intensity or nothing" mentality). In a similar train of thought, most people think that walking is not intense enough to improve your health much, and you always get more benefit from running.

Not according to a study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The results found that walking briskly can lower your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes just as much as running. In addition, the benefits increased in a dose-response manner.

This study looked at health benefits, specifically risk factors for cardiovascular disease in subjects ranging from 18 to 80 years old, clustered largely in their 40s and 50s. They found the following:

Walking reduced risk for first-time hypertension 7.2%, running reduced risk by 4.2%.
Walking reduced first-time high cholesterol risk 7%., running by 4.3%.
Walking reduced first time diabetes risk by 12.3%, compared to 12.1% for running.
Walking reduced coronary heart disease risk by 9.3%, running 4.5% .

Fascinating, isn't it? The researchers said benefits were "similar" but if you look at the numbers, walking was actually better.

Of course, the devil is in the details: they weren't comparing equal amounts of time spent, like 30 minutes of walking vs 30 minutes of running (running would win that comparison).  They were testing whether equal amounts of energy (calorie) expenditure by moderate intensity walking and vigorous running provided equal benefits.

When energy expenditure was equivalent the health risk reductions were similar.

So, contrary to what you may have heard, it's not that walking can't benefit your health as much as higher intensity types of exercise, walking is simply not as time efficient. It takes a lot more time walking to get the same energy expenditure you'd get with running.

It's the same thing if we change the subject to fat loss. Low, moderate, and high intensity cardio can all help with fat loss, but the higher the intensity, the more efficient the exercise is, because it burns more calories per minute. This is why people who are short on time, and are physically able to do intense exercise, often choose the higher intensity cardio.

The problem is, high intensity cardio is hard and not appropriate for everyone. The author of the study, Paul Williams, pointed out that walking may be a more sustainable exercise for many people compared to running.

He also said that people are always looking for an excuse not to exercise ("I can't run or do HIIT because of my knee, my hip, my foot" etc.). Thanks to research results like these, perceived barriers to exercise have been removed. Not as many excuses left for not walking!

There's a place for all kinds of cardio, depending on a person's goals, needs, and preferences, and make no mistake, I'm a fan of HIIT and other hard, brief cardio. However, I also love walking and hiking and have been encouraging people to walk more for years. That's one of the reasons I sponsor walking fitness challenges (based on steps).

An MD’s List of 6 “Super Weeds” That Deserve A Spot On Your Plate

from the “mindbodygreen” e-zine

The only difference between a flower and a weed is judgment. Isn't that how the saying goes? And according to family physician and science journalist Daphne Miller, M.D., we're judging common yard weeds way too harshly. In fact, she says we shouldn't regard them as "garden pests" at all: We should treat them like the nutrient-dense little grasses that they are—and call them superweeds. 

"They are all delicious," Miller says. "I pick them all and put them in my salad." Below, she offers up her favorite edible superweeds—they may be common, but they boast tons of nutrients and flavor.
 
1). Oxalis: Akin to a 3-leaf clover, this delicate, vitamin C and potassium-rich plant has a slightly sour taste (thanks to its oxalic acid content). Because of the high oxalic acid content, those with a history of kidney stones want to keep an eye on their intake. Additionally, other healthy greens like beet greens, turnip greens, Swiss chard, and spinach are also high in oxalic acid.
 
2). Dandelion: Ever heard of dandelion greens? These tiny daisies have a natural bitter flavor that's perfect for a fresh salad or sautéed side dish. They contain vitamins A in the easy-to-absorb beta-carotene form, K, E, and C; potassium; and fiber.

3). Bristly Oxtoungue: A rather bristly plant (hence the name), this roadside weed can be eaten cooked or raw, depending on your flavor preferences. The leaves are rather bitter, so you might want to coat it in spices and sauté before digging in. It’s nutritional profile is similar to the dandelion (as is its appearance).

Marlene’s Note: I’m seeing a pattern here; as with many edibles that have health-promoting or medicinal properties, there’s a bitter element in the flavor profile. That doesn’t have to be a deterrent though, there are many things (spices, dressings) that can be added to overcome that.

4). Dock Weeds: This weed comes in many forms (curly dock, broad-leaved dock, patience dock, etc.), but it generally has a sour, lemony taste—again, thanks to oxalic acid. Feel free to toss the leaves into salads, or you can always boil or sauté them to deepen the flavor. It contains fiber, vitamin C, iron, vitamin A, magnesium, manganese, and copper.

5). 3-Cornered Onion: What is a 3-cornered onion, you ask? Also known as a 3-cornered leek, it has flower stalks lined up in a three-cornered shape. It also has tender, crunchy stems and leaves—when crushed, these parts give off an onion-like odor and flavor. The entire plant is edible—from the bulb to the stem to the leaves—and it's a perfect fresh garnish for your salad. It contains sulphur which gives it the onion flavor and smell. Sulphur is needed for the synthesis of glutathione, a potent antioxidant, protecting cells from free radical damage. Onion weed also helps reduce blood cholesterol levels, acts as a digestive system tonic, stimulates the circulatory system, is antimicrobial and contains chlorophyll (cleansing in itself), fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

6). Mallow Weeds: Also called a “cheese weed” (as the fruits form in little cheese-like wedges), mallow is one versatile plant. You can eat it raw in a salad, stir it into soups to thicken the consistency, and you can also pick off the flowers and buds, pickle them, and use them as a substitute for capers. It has a long list of medicinal uses, including treatment of kidney stones and UTI’s, as a laxative, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, immune-supportive, laxative, and calming digestive aid.   

The Take-Home Message: Perhaps this goes without saying, but you shouldn't pop just any garden weed into your mouth without some research. Yes, there's a variety of backyard edibles you can get your hands on, but make sure that you safely I.D. the plant (or consult an expert) before consuming it. 

Precautions aside, superweeds are a worthy find: "If you think about it, they have all the characteristics you really want in a plant," Miller notes. "They're climate-resistant and perennial. They really make it through dark times because they have survived without being watered or encouraged for generations, so they really have that persistence."

Wizards, Aliens, & Starships: Physics and Math in Fantasy and Science Fiction

From teleportation and space elevators to alien contact and interstellar travel, science fiction and fantasy writers have come up with some brilliant and innovative ideas. Yet how plausible are these ideas? Which concepts might actually happen, and which ones wouldn’t work at all? A professor of physics at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Adler delves into the most extraordinary details in science fiction and fantasy—time warps, shape changing, rocket launches, and illumination by floating candle—and shows readers the physics and math behind the phenomena. From the works of Ursula K. Le Guin to Star Trek and Avatar, Adler considers what might become reality. He examines space travel and wonders why it isn’t cheaper and more common today, and discusses exoplanets and how the search for alien life has shifted from radio communications to space-based telescopes. He concludes by investigating the future survival of humanity and other intelligent races.

This lecture was recorded on February 16, 2014 as part of the Distinguished Science Lecture Series hosted by Michael Shermer and presented by The Skeptics Society in California (1992–2015).

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A New Look at Human Evolution

In a few decades, a torrent of new evidence and ideas about human evolution has allowed scientists to piece together a more detailed understanding of what went on thousands and even millions of years ago. Lesley Newson and Peter Richerson, a husband-and-wife team based at the University of California, Davis, have spent years together and individually researching and collaborating with scholars from a wide range of disciplines to produce a deep history of humankind. In A Story of Us, they present this rich narrative and explain how the evolution of our genes relates to the evolution of our cultures.

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4 Stretches to Keep Your Shoulders in Shape

from the Harvard Health e-zine 

The shoulder is the body's most complicated joint. It's where the ends of the collarbone, upper arm bone, and shoulder blade meet. And it's prone to arthritis (a wearing away of the cartilage between the bones), as well as tears or tendinitis (inflammation) in the rotator cuff — the group of tendons that helps you raise and rotate your arm. Shoulder pain can keep you from being able to raise your arms to get dressed, or reach up to a cupboard or out to a door.

But an easy way to stave off shoulder problems is to regularly stretch the muscles that support the joints. "The muscles need to be long and flexible to stay healthy. You're more vulnerable to injury when your shoulder muscles are tight and restricted," explains Clare Safran-Norton, clinical supervisor of rehabilitation services at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Muscles are a little like cotton fabrics. They may shrink up slightly, but if you pull on the fibers, you can stretch out the fabric again.

Stretching your muscles fixes the shortening that occurs with disuse and extends muscles to their full length. The more you stretch the muscles, the longer and more flexible they'll become. That will help increase your range of motion, ward off pain, reduce the risk for injury, and improve your posture.

The best way to stretch muscles is with long, static (motionless) stretches that last 30 seconds to two minutes. But don't jump right to this step.

Warm up the muscles first to get blood and oxygen to them and make them more pliable. You can do this with exercise (take a brisk walk, pumping your arms, or go for a swim). Or you can try a few minutes of dynamic stretching — repeatedly moving a joint through its available range of motion, without holding a position. Just roll your shoulders backward and forward a few times or make windmill motions with your arms (but not too vigorously).

Try the shoulder stretches we've laid out here. All you need is a doorway or wall.
Safran-Norton recommends stretching your shoulders three to seven times per week. "If you're really stiff, stretch daily. If you're already flexible, it's fine to stretch every other day," she says. But avoid stretching for too long or too vigorously: back off quickly if you start to feel pain.

Other tips: make sure you stand up straight when you stretch, and make sure you're hydrated.
 

Wall Climb: Stand up straight facing a wall. Extend your right arm with your elbow soft (not locked) and place your hand on the wall at shoulder height. Slowly walk your fingers upward, stepping in toward the wall as your hand climbs higher. Stop when you feel mild tension in your shoulder. Hold 10 to 30 seconds. Slowly walk your fingers back down the wall and return to the starting position. Repeat three to four times. Switch arms and repeat.

Chest & Shoulder Stretch: Stand alongside a doorway or wall. Extend your right arm and put your right hand on the edge of the door frame slightly below shoulder level, palm facing forward and touching the door frame. Keep your shoulders down and back. Slowly turn your body to the left, away from the door frame, until you feel the stretch in your chest and shoulder. Hold 10 to 30 seconds. Return to the starting position. Repeat three to four times, then repeat on the opposite side.

Cross-Body Shoulder Stretch: Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Put your left hand on your right shoulder. Cup your left elbow with your right hand. Roll your shoulders down and back as you gently pull your left elbow across your chest. Hold 10 to 30 seconds. Return to the starting position. Repeat three to four times, then repeat on the other side.

Shoulder Stretch with Rotation: Stand up straight with your feet hip-width apart and your hands by your sides. Place the back of your right hand against the small of your back at your waist. Your fingers should be pointing up. Slowly slide your right hand farther up your back as high as you can. Hold 10 to 30 seconds. Repeat three to four times, then repeat with left hand.
 

What About strengthening?  You won't have strong shoulders if you don't strengthen them. Safran-Norton recommends strengthening the shoulder muscles every other day.
The combination of stretching and strengthening will act as a preventive approach to keep even a complicated joint ready for action.

Doubt: A History

In a sweeping history, Jennifer Michael Hecht celebrates doubt as an engine of creativity and as an alternative to the political and intellectual dangers of certainty. Just as belief has its own history featuring people whose unique expressions of faith have forever changed the world, doubt has a vibrant story and tradition with its own saints, martyrs, and sages. Hecht blends her wide-ranging historical expertise, passionate admiration of the great doubters, and poet’s sensibility to tell a stimulating story that is part intellectual history and part showcase of ordinary people asking themselves the difficult questions that confront us all. Hecht views the history of doubt as not only a tradition of challenging accepted religious beliefs, including the existence of God, but also as a progression of attempts to make sense of life, the natural world, and the self, each on their own terms.

This lecture was recorded on July 10, 2005 as part of the Distinguished Science Lecture Series hosted by Michael Shermer and presented by The Skeptics Society in California (1992–2015).

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The Fringe of Where Science Meets Pseudoscience

Everyone has heard of the term “pseudoscience”, typically used to describe something that looks like science, but is somehow false, misleading, or unproven. Many would be able to agree on a list of things that fall under its umbrella — astrology, phrenology, UFOlogy, creationism, and eugenics might come to mind. But defining what makes these fields “pseudo” is a far more complex issue. Given the virulence of contemporary disputes over the denial of climate change and anti-vaccination movements — both of which display allegations of “pseudoscience” on all sides — there is a clear need to better understand issues of scientific demarcation. Shermer and Gordin explore the philosophical and historical attempts to address this problem of demarcation.

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