Overview
Benzene is a chemical linked to leukemia. Lawsuits have been filed alleging that benzene exposure caused cancer, both from workplace settings and from consumer products including aerosol deodorants, dry shampoos, sunscreens, and acne treatments. The claims involve diagnoses of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.[3]
Product Recall
Johnson & Johnson recalled five aerosol sunscreens after some samples were found to contain benzene. The recall covered four Neutrogena products and one Aveeno product.[1]
December 2023: California Federal Court Allows Sunscreen Case to Proceed
A California federal court ruled in December 2023 that a lawsuit alleging benzene in Johnson & Johnson sunscreen caused a girl's leukemia could move forward. The exact date of the ruling has not been confirmed.[1]
This ruling means the court found the complaint stated a plausible claim and declined to dismiss the case at an early stage. It does not mean the court has determined that the sunscreen caused the leukemia or that Johnson & Johnson is liable. The case would proceed to discovery and potentially trial unless it is resolved through settlement or further motion practice.
January 6, 2026: Federal Judge Allows Dry Shampoo Case Against Procter & Gamble
In the case Quinn v. Procter & Gamble, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, a federal judge ruled on January 6, 2026, that Procter & Gamble must face claims brought by a consumer who alleges that benzene in Herbal Essences dry shampoo caused her chronic lymphocytic leukemia.[2]
As with the Johnson & Johnson ruling, this decision means the court allowed the plaintiff's claims to survive a motion to dismiss or similar challenge. The judge found the allegations sufficient to proceed. It is not a finding on the merits of whether the dry shampoo actually caused the plaintiff's leukemia.
Where the Litigation Stands Today
The record we track shows two federal court rulings allowing individual benzene exposure cases to proceed past early dismissal motions. One involves sunscreen and a child's leukemia diagnosis; the other involves dry shampoo and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Both cases remain in litigation.[1][2]
Benzene litigation more broadly includes workplace exposure claims and consumer product claims involving multiple product categories.[3]
The record we track does not show any trial dates set in these cases. It does not show any settlements announced. It does not show any final judgments on the merits, meaning no court has yet ruled after trial or summary judgment that benzene in a specific product caused a specific person's cancer, nor has any court ruled that it did not.
What Is Not Known Yet
The record we track does not show whether the Johnson & Johnson sunscreen case or the Procter & Gamble dry shampoo case has advanced to discovery, what evidence has been exchanged, or whether either case has a trial date.
It does not show how many benzene exposure lawsuits have been filed in total, whether any have been consolidated or coordinated for pretrial proceedings, or whether any have been dismissed after the rulings described above.
It does not show whether any settlements have been reached in benzene exposure cases, or whether any verdicts have been returned by juries.
The record does not show the identities of other manufacturers or products named in benzene litigation beyond those mentioned above.
Sources
- Sunscreen recall (2021-07-01). Secondary report: millerandzois.com
- Quinn v. Procter & Gamble (S.D. Cal.) (2026-01-06). Secondary report: news.bgov.com
- Benzene litigation (2026-02-04). Secondary report: classaction.org
Litigation facts on this page come from the TortIntel litigation record and the documents linked above. Last checked against that record on 2026-10-24. If you see an error, tell us and we will correct it.