Archive for Organic Chemistry

Think Spray-On Sunscreen is safe? Try a fireball!

Posted in Consumer Products with tags , , , , , , on October 20, 2012 by Dr. Steven Farmer

On October 19, 2012 Energizer Holdings Inc., the makers of Banana Boat sun care products, voluntarily recalled 23 varieties of UltraMist sunscreen.  What is the problem you ask?  A faulty spray valve has been over applying the product resulting in the lotion taking longer to dry.   No problem still?  You have to also consider that many aerosol products, such as hairspray and spray-on deodorants, contain flammable ingredients like alcohol, and you begin to see the problem.  Apparently, several people have caught on fire after applying the product and coming in contact with open flames.  Thus far there have been five reported cases.  One involved a man standing too close to a barbeque and another involved a woman who was welding.  Both cases caused second and third degree burns.  If you can believe it, UltraMist products contain the warning “Keep away from sources of ignition — no smoking” printed right on the bottle.  I checked my own bottle and it was there.  For more details check out the company’s statement at : http://prn.to/TjKYnQ

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