Millions of Americans may be unknowingly exposed to benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, through generic cold medications.
According to a Bloomberg analysis of government data, Benzene has been detected in generic versions of Mucinex, a popular cold relief medicine sold at major U.S. retailers like CVS, Walmart, Walgreens, and Target.
Despite its known health risks and advice from international authorities, benzene is still used in the production of certain over-the-counter drugs in the U.S.
Unfortunately, you won’t find benzene listed on the ingredient label, which means consumers may be consuming it with no way of knowing.
What Is Benzene?
Benzene is an industrial chemical most commonly associated with petroleum products. It is found in gasoline and other fuels, but it also has a history of use as a solvent in various manufacturing processes, including the pharmaceutical industry.
The chemical is classified as a human carcinogen, meaning it is known to cause cancer. Specifically, benzene exposure has been linked to blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
Why Benzene Is Used in Generic Medicines
The problem with benzene in generic cold medications has to do with an ingredient called carbomer.
Carbomers are inactive ingredients in many pharmaceuticals. They’re used to create the extended-release effect that helps provide symptom relief over a longer period.
While the brand-name version of Mucinex uses a benzene-free carbomer, many generic versions use a carbomer made with benzene because it is significantly cheaper.
This means that while both brand-name and store-brand cold medicines contain the same active ingredient and promise similar effects, the generic versions carry an added risk due to the presence of benzene in their inactive ingredients.
FDA Regulation and Industry Response
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed the use of benzene in drug manufacturing for decades, despite international guidelines that discourage its use unless absolutely necessary for producing life-saving medications.
The FDA has acknowledged the risks of benzene and set a deadline to phase out its use in pharmaceuticals by 2025, although this has now been extended to 2026 after pushback from drug manufacturers.
The FDA has been testing products for benzene contamination, but it has not publicly shared the full extent of its findings regarding benzene levels in tablet medications like generic Mucinex.
Despite mounting concerns, there is currently no labeling requirement that would alert consumers to the presence of benzene in their over-the-counter medications.
Why Is Benzene Still Used?
One word: cost.
Benzene-free carbomers are significantly more expensive than those made with benzene.
For example, at least one India-based bulk chemicals retailer lists a benzene-free carbomer at $1 more per ounce compared to one that contains benzene.
In addition to the increase in cost, switching to benzene-free alternatives would also require manufacturers to undergo additional rounds of testing and obtain FDA approval for the new formulations, according to Vivek Dave, an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences at St. John Fisher University in New York.
The Role of Manufacturers and Retailers
When it comes to store-brand generics, retailers like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart are not responsible for the quality of the products they sell. Instead, the ingredients, oversight, and liability are on the manufacturer.
In this case, the major U.S. chains are all sourcing their generic extended-release mucus-relief medicine from the same New Jersey company: Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
When Bloomberg inquired about the presence of benzene in their products, CVS responded that it would work with its suppliers to find a replacement for the ingredient.
Walgreens, meanwhile, stated that it follows FDA regulations but did not provide details on how it would address the issue.
Walmart and Target did not respond to requests for comment, leaving consumers with little information on what steps, if any, these companies are taking to address the risk.
Health Implications for Consumers
The exact levels of benzene in generic cold medicines remain unclear. While the FDA has been conducting tests and collecting data on this, they have not shared the information with the public.
One reporter from NPR has filed Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain the results of the testing the FDA has done, but so far has not received any answers.
While some may argue that small amounts of a carcinogen like benzene is not something to worry about, the real concern comes from cumulative, long-term exposures.
Citizens are exposed to benzene through wildfire smoke, industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, gas stoves, building materials, and even consumer products like dry shampoo.
All of these exposures can add up. These cumulative impacts could, at least in part, explain why rates of leukemia increased 110% from 1998 to 2018.
Although many exposures are beyond individual control, choosing medicines free from carcinogens is a practical step to reduce exposure, even if it’s only by a small amount.
At the very least, consumers should be made aware of what their medicines are actually made with using more clear labeling.
What You Can Do
Given the potential risks associated with benzene in generic cold medicines, here are some practical steps you can take to minimize your exposure:
- Check the Label: While benzene itself won’t be listed on the label, look for the term “carbomer” in the inactive ingredients section. If it’s present, there’s a chance that the product could contain benzene.
- Choose Brand-Name Options: Although more expensive, brand-name versions of cold medicines like Mucinex are more likely to use benzene-free carbomers.
- Reduce Cold Medicine Consumption: Consider taking less cold medicine in general, only consuming it when you really need to. Keep in mind that cold medicines are for symptom-relief and won’t actually make your cold go away faster. While symptom-relief is certainly more comfortable, remember that they aren’t harmful (especially if they’re mild to moderate). If you can stick it out without the extra dose of cold medicine, you may want to let your body go through it’s natural healing process.
- Consider More Natural Cold Remedies: I personally like Beekeeper’s Naturals’ line of cold relief products, which includes throat spray, cough syrup, and more. While these products may not be as powerful as Mucinex when it comes to immediate symptom relief, they contain ingredients like bee propolis and Elderberry, which help support the body’s natural immune response. Additionally, simple things like drinking tea, getting a lot of good sleep, and staying hydrated can go a long way in speeding up your recovery.
- Research the Manufacturer: If you regularly purchase generic medications, it may be worth researching the manufacturer. Companies like Reckitt Benckiser that produce brand-name medications are less likely to use benzene in their formulations. (Reckitt Benckiser is a British company that makes name-brand Mucinex and they have explicitly said they use benzene-free carbomer.)
- Follow the News: Keep an eye on updates from the FDA and major news outlets regarding the regulation of benzene in pharmaceuticals. The FDA plans to phase out benzene by 2026, so continued pressure from the public and consumer advocacy groups could help speed up this timeline.