Shampoo Lawsuits Due to Cancer Risk
Benzene in Recalled Dry Shampoos May Cause Cancer
After an alarming shampoo recall, our firm is actively considering dry shampoo lawsuits related to the discovery of cancer-causing benzene in certain Proctor & Gamble-manufactured spray-on shampoos and conditioners. Brands with “dry” spray-on shampoos and/or conditioners affected by the recall and subject to potential benzene lawsuits include Pantene, Herbal Essences, Aussie, Old Spice, and Waterless (known as Waterl<ss). To be clear, benzene is a dangerous chemical that is known to cause cancer including certain types of leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
AUGUST 2023 UPDATE: Please note that as of August 2023, we can no longer accept cases involving benzene contamination due to developments in the litigation. Please stay tuned to our website for more information as this litigation evolves.
Unilever and the FDA announced a recall of many other aerosol-based dry shampoos due to benzene and cancer risk in October 2022, including popular brands like Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head), and TRESemmé. At this time, Riddle & Brantley is actively investigating these and other claims related to benzene-contaminated dry shampoos and associated cancer risk. Following the recall, in November 2022, independent laboratory Valisure announced that it had found elevated levels of benzene in even more dry shampoo products.
Potential Dry Shampoo Claims and Lawsuits
Spray-on shampoo and conditioner lawsuits allege that Proctor & Gamble (P&G), the manufacturer of certain hair products, knew these products contain cancer-causing benzene and failed to warn consumers. To be clear, Proctor & Gamble has issued a voluntary recall and strongly denies any liability and/or wrongdoing. In a statement announcing the recall, P&G called the discovery of benzene in its dry spray-on shampoos and conditioners “unexpected.” The company said that “our review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can.”
In the latest developments in these shampoo cancer claims, Unilever issued a wide-ranging dry shampoo recall covering other popular brands of aerosol shampoos. Like Proctor & Gamble, Unilever strongly denies any negligence and/or wrongdoing.
Similar defective product and “failure to warn” lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers of other benzene-contaminated products. These include spray-on sunscreen lawsuits and spray-on deodorant lawsuits. Riddle & Brantley is actively investigating these cases along with the recent dry shampoo cancer claims.
“If benzene in spray-on shampoos or conditioners caused cancer, victims deserve justice.”
–Gene Riddle, shampoo cancer lawyer
Brands Facing Potential Shampoo Cancer Lawsuits
Multiple popular spray-on shampoos and conditioners have been found to contain benzene, a dangerous chemical that can cause cancer. Brands of shampoo that are affected by the recall include:
- Dove
- Nexxus
- Suave
- TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head)
- TRESemmé
- Pantene
- Herbal Essences
- Old Spice
- Aussie
- Waterless (known as Waterl<ss)
For more information concerning specific hair products recalled by Proctor & Gamble due to benzene contamination, visit P&G’s recall announcement page. For information on the Unilever recall, please visit the FDA’s recall page. A complete list of shampoo products covered by the Unilever recall is also available. Those using recalled spray-on shampoos or conditioners are urged to stop using the product immediately due to potential cancer risk.
Do Spray-On “Dry” Shampoos Cause Cancer?
The science behind the recent shampoo cancer claims is relatively straightforward. Proctor & Gamble and Unilever have both announced that certain spray-on hair products are contaminated with benzene, a dangerous chemical known to cause cancer in humans — specifically, certain types of leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
Cancers potentially caused by benzene in spray-on shampoos and conditioners include:
- Leukemia, including:
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
What is Benzene?
Benzene is a dangerous chemical and a known carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer in humans. The scientific evidence supporting claims that benzene causes cancer is overwhelming, and benzene has been classified as cancer-causing by such organizations as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Studies supporting the claim that benzene (the chemical found in certain spray-on shampoos and conditioners) causes cancer include:
- A study from 2010 that found evidence that workplace exposure to benzene “increases the risk of leukemia.”
- A 2019 study published in the International Journal of Cancer that found “an association between ambient benzene and risk of hematological malignancies” such as blood-related cancers like leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
- A meta-analysis in 2021 that found evidence of “a causal link between benzene exposure and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.”
- A study of workers exposed to benzene that found evidence that “the risk for chronic myeloid leukemia was increased” compared to workers not exposed to benzene.
Do You Qualify for a Dry Shampoo Cancer Lawsuit?
AUGUST 2023 UPDATE: Please note that as of August 2023, we can no longer accept cases involving benzene contamination due to developments in the litigation. Please stay tuned to our website for more information as this litigation evolves.
Our firm is actively investigating claims that benzene in certain P&G and Unilever spray-on hair products caused cancer. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with a qualifying cancer (including certain types of leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma) after using a recalled spray-on shampoo or conditioner, call 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE, no-obligation consultation. We only get paid if you do — that’s our promise. There are no attorney fees unless we win your shampoo lawsuit and you receive compensation.
Don’t wait — the longer you wait to contact us, the harder it may be to prove liability and win your shampoo cancer lawsuit. Please call 1-800-525-7111 today to speak with an experienced trial attorney in a free consultation.
“This settlement changed me and my family’s lives.”
-Linda B., Riddle & Brantley client
Why Riddle & Brantley for Your Shampoo Lawsuit?
FEBRUARY 2023 UPDATE: Please note that at this time, Riddle & Brantley is providing this information for consumers’ benefit, but we are not currently accepting cases related to dry shampoos.
Since 1985, Riddle & Brantley has been holding potentially negligent manufacturers like Proctor & Gamble accountable. Our trial attorneys have more than 220+ years of combined legal experience and we are ready to help however we can. Since 2000 alone, we’ve recovered more than $600 million in compensation for our valued clients (see disclaimer below), and many of our dry shampoo lawsuit attorneys have been recognized with prestigious memberships and rewards (see disclaimer below), including:
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The Litigator Award
- Super Lawyers
- AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
We strive to treat every client like family and are proud of the way our clients describe their experience working with our attorneys and staff. We would love to help you and your loved ones with your shampoo cancer claim. Please call 1-800-525-7111 today for a free consultation concerning a potential shampoo cancer lawsuit.
“You’ll walk in the door as a client and leave as family. They’re the absolute best.”
–Susan S., Riddle & Brantley client