Procter & Gamble (P&G) has reached a tentative settlement to end multiple class action lawsuits alleging it sold aerosol deodorants under several brands that contained a cancer-causing chemical.
P&G and multiple plaintiffs who had filed claims against the manufacturer have filed a joint notice in an Ohio federal court announcing they have reached a settlement agreement.
The notice did not include any further details of the proposed settlement, including the value or the classes that the settlement will benefit.
“Counsel for the parties are working on executing a comprehensive settlement agreement,” the notice states. “They anticipate that the settlement and a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement will be filed on or before June 2, 2022.”
In early November, the independent testing pharmacy Valisure released a report that found high levels of benzene in Old Spice, Secret, Suave and Tag deodorants and body sprays, resulting in a citizen’s petition that called for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recall the affected products.
Companies have been recalling a number of aerosol and cosmetic products recently due to the presence of the chemical benzene, a known human carcinogen.
Benzene contamination can occur during the manufacturing process, meaning the chemical is not listed as part of the official ingredients, leaving consumers in the dark.
Exposure to benzene has been linked to a number of adverse health effects, including blood disorders and cancers such as leukaemia.
P&G settles aerosol contamination class actions
