Benzene: Could Your Soft Drink Have Unsafe Chemicals & Carcinogens?

Benzene: Could Your Soft Drink Have Unsafe Chemicals & Carcinogens?
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One of the health scares that comes back to haunt us every few years is the belief that drinking soda will cause cancer. Despite being listed as one of the top ten unfounded health scares of 2006 by the American Council on Science and Health, the rumors and speculation still abound. So what is benzene, what does it do, and is it really lurking in your Mountain Dew?

What is Benzene and how is it formed?

Benzene is a chemical that is created by motor vehicle exhausts, and burning coal or oil. It is a known carcinogen with prolonged exposure. Under certain conditions, the ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and sodium benzoate (a preservative) commonly found in some carbonated beverages can combine to create benzene. As consumers have shown a desire for healthier drinks, manufacturers have responded by adding extra vitamins. Vitamin C may also naturally occur in citrus-based drinks, such as lemonade. The addition of Vitamin C to some drink formulae increased the likelihood of benzene forming, even in those drinks which had previously been reformulated to avoid the risk. The way the drinks are stored and their shelf-life also play a part in the formation of benzene.

Benzoate in soft drinks has also been linked to hyperactivity in children and may trigger allergy and asthma attacks.

Health Risks

Studies have proven benzene to cause cancer but it should be noted that this is usually a result of prolonged exposure to the benzene found in coal or gas burning emissions. Studies by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Exxon Mobil found that refinery workers have a higher incidence of leukemia and tumors. Regular exposure to benzene over a period of several years was found to be the cause.

FDA Studies

The Food & Drug Administration first found benzene in certain soft drinks in the early 1990s. Millions of bottles of soda were recalled, and it was even found in the spring that produced Perrier water. Following the discovery, most soft drink manufacturers reformulated their sodas to lessen or eliminate the amount of the chemical. However, in 2005 environmental activists claimed that a number of soft drinks still contained benzene. The Environmental Workers Group claimed that the FDA was hiding the truth and that high levels of the potentially dangerous carcinogen existed in a number of children’s beverages. This prompted stories of varying scientific accuracy which spread rapidly on the internet.

In 2006, the FDA released a statement that their survey found either very low or no levels of benzene in the “vast majority” of beverages sampled, and that no health threat was posed by the minuscule amounts. An EPA and FDA joint study released in January 2008 reported that 9% of samples contained benzene levels higher than the optimal limit for drinking water.

Bottom Line

Some drink manufacturers have stopped using sodium benzoate in their recipes, while others such as Schweppes and Dr Pepper continue to use it but insist that the levels are safe. Following their most recent study, the FDA made available a list detailing the amounts of benzene found in the soft drinks they tested. From the studies done so far, there appears to be little evidence that soda will cause cancer, but, as with all foods and drinks, moderation is always the best advice.