Health Canada announces that Blistex Corporation is recalling three lots of Odor-Eaters Spray Powder (D20C04, D20K13 and D21H03) due to contamination with benzene. Frequent and long-term exposure (e.g., through the skin or by inhalation) to elevated levels of benzene may pose serious health risks. Children may be more vulnerable to these risks.
Odor-Eaters Spray Powder is an antifungal spray containing tolnaftate used for the treatment and prevention of athlete’s foot. It is available over-the-counter for use by adults, adolescents and children ages two years and older.
Immediate signs of exposure to elevated levels of benzene include drowsiness, dizziness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and headaches.
While there is no safe level of benzene, people can be exposed to benzene during everyday life by air (e.g., by inhaling car exhaust, second-hand tobacco smoke and industrial emissions) and by swallowing benzene or by absorbing it through the skin (e.g., through contact with contaminated water). Long-term (over a year or more) and repeated exposure to elevated levels of benzene may lead to serious health effects, including various forms of cancer such as leukemia, anemia (low red blood cells) and bone marrow failure. Children may be more vulnerable to these risks.
Please refer to the following website in Health Canada for details:
http://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/three-lots-odor-eaters-spray-powder-athlete-s-foot
In Hong Kong, the above product is not a registered pharmaceutical product. Related news was previously issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was posted on the Drug Office website on 19 Nov 2021.
Ends/Saturday, November 20, 2021
Issued at HKT 12:00
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