Carcinogen Contamination: P&G Dry Shampoo, Conditioner IL Recall

ILLINOIS — Procter & Gamble on Friday announced a voluntary recall of aerosol dry shampoo and conditioners from a variety of brands that were shipped to Illinois and around the country.

Benzene, a carcinogen, was found in 32 aerosol products from brands including Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Old Spice, Hair Food and Waterless, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration said in a statement.

Exposure, either by inhalation or through the skin, can cause leukemia, blood and bone cancers, according to the FDA. P&G urged stores to pull the products from their shelves and consumers to seek reimbursement for products already purchased.

Adverse reactions or quality problems can be reported the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

"While benzene is not an ingredient in any of our products, our review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can," Proctor & Gamble said in a statement.

The following products were included in the recall:

• Waterless Dry Conditioner Weightless Smooth, 3.6oz.
• Waterless Dry Conditioner Instant Moisture, 3.6oz.
• Waterless Dry Conditioner Weightless Smooth, .98oz.
• Waterless Dry Conditioner Instant Moisture, .98oz.
• Pantene Sultry Bronde All in One Luxury Mist, 4.9oz.
• Pantene Smooth Talker Dry Conditioning Oil, 3.9oz.
• Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9oz.
• Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9oz.
• Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 1.0oz.
• Pantene Gold Series Instant Nourishing Spray, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Smooth Vibes Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Petal Soft Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Sleekend Warrior Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz.
• Herbal Essences Blue Ginger Refresh Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 1.7oz.
• Pantene Dry Shampoo No Water Refresh, 4.9oz.
• Pantene Dry Shampoo Sheer Volume, 4.9oz.
• Pantene Never Tell Dry Shampoo, 4.2oz.
• Aussie After Hours Dry Shampoo Texture Spray, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Tousle Hustle Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Bounce Back Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Clean Color Protect Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Clean Texture Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Clean Volume Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Waterless Dry Shampoo No Residue, 3.7oz.
• Waterless Dry Shampoo No Residue, 1oz.
• Hair Food Coconut Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Old Spice Fiji Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Old Spice Pure Sport Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.

Kat Schuster contributed to this reporting