Banana Boat Sunscreen Recalled Over Fire Risk
The maker of a popular sunscreen spray recalls some products because of reports of some users catching fire after applying it.
12:10pm, Saturday 20 October 2012
Spray products should not be used near ignition sources, makers explain
Bottles of spray-on Banana Boat sunscreen are being recalled following reports that some people have caught fire after applying the product and coming into contact with open flames.
St Louis-based Energizer Holdings revealed it was withdrawing 23 varieties of UltraMist sunscreen off store shelves due to the risk of the lotion igniting when exposed to fire.
The recall includes aerosol products such as UltraMist Sport, UltraMist Ultra Defence and UltraMist Kids.
There had been five reports - four in the US and one in Canada - of people suffering burns after using the sunscreen in the last year, a company spokesman said.
The problem appears to have been caused by a spray valve, Energizer said in a statement. As a result the lotion is taking longer to dry, which raises the flammability risk.
"If a consumer comes into contact with a flame or spark prior to complete drying of the product on the skin, there is a potential for the product to ignite," the company said.
UltraMist's label warns users: "Keep away from sources of ignition - no smoking."
But dermatologists say most people do not read such labels.
"So many people put this on outside, while they're on their way to activities, so I just don't think people are aware of that," said Dr Michele Green, a dermatologist at New York's Lenox Hill Hospital.
Aerosol sunscreens have become popular in recent years because they are faster and easier to apply than traditional creams, Dr Green said.
Doctors and burn experts said the problem appears to be extremely rare.
"I've been doing this for 30 years and I've never seen or heard of this happening before," said Dr Darrel Rigel, professor of dermatology at New York University.
