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Benzene is toxic by transdermal absorption, ingestion, or inhalation; chronic exposure may cause bone marrow depression and aplasia and leukemia. It is clear, colorless, highly refractive flammable liquid derived from petroleum and used in or to manufacture a wide variety of chemical products, including DDT, insecticides, and motor fuels. Also called benzine. Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon. Benzene has been the subject of many studies by many famous scientists ranging from Michael Faraday to Linus Pauling. In 1825 Faraday reported its isolation from oil gas and gave it the name bicarburet of hydrogen. In 1833, Eilhard Mitscherlich produced it via the distillation of benzoic acid (from gum benzoin) and lime. Mitscherlich gave the compound the name benzin. In 1845, Charles Mansfield, working under August Wilhelm von Hofmann, isolated benzene from coal tar. Four years later, Mansfield began the first industrial-scale production of benzene, based on the coal-tar method. (from various sources 30may2007) More on Benzene |
NEW YORK – A lawsuit that alleges soft-drink manufacturers, including PepsiCo, are selling drinks made with ingredients that can form cancer-causing benzene can go move forward, a Kansas federal court has ruled.
In the suit – one of five in states throughout the country – plaintiffs are asking soft-drink makers to remove the drinks from store shelves, reformulate their products, and offer refunds to consumers who bought them.
Benzene can form in soft drinks containing vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. Scientists say factors such as heat or light exposure can trigger a reaction that forms benzene in the beverages. The ruling late Thursday by U.S. District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil denied a motion to dismiss filed by the defendants in the case, which include PepsiCo Inc. and privately-held Sunny Delight Beverages Co. and Rockstar Inc.
“We're now going to see how well the defendant companies hold up when their case is exposed to heat and light,” said Gregory M. Garvin, an attorney for the plaintiffs with the Kansas City law firm Sader & Garvin LLC.
The plaintiffs said Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi has benzene levels nearly four times the maximum level of 5 parts per billion set by the Environmental Protection Agency for benzene in drinking water.
But Pepsi Cola North America spokesman Dave DeCecco said the FDA has reviewed its products and found no reason for concern about benzene levels.
“We believe this suit is entirely without merit and we will continue to defend ourselves,” DeCecco said.
He added that Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi was reformulated last fall.
Coca-Cola Co., a former defendant in the case, settled with the plaintiffs earlier this month and offered replacement drinks to anyone who purchased Fanta Pineapple or Vault Zero before September 2006. The company also volunteered to reformulate the drinks.
PepsiCo shares fell 34 cents to $68.48 Tuesday.
source: 30may2007
Sunny Delight is the target of a lawsuit by three women in three states who are alleging some of its juice products are prone to carrying benzene, a chemical that can cause cancer, anemia and other ailments.
The suit was filed in the summer of 2006 by two mothers and a student in Florida, New Jersey and Kansas. And while it's just three individuals, these women have a good track record; they recently got a settlement out of Coca-Cola Co.
The suit claims that Blue Ash-based Sunny Delight's Baja Orange, Berry and Intense Lemon Lime flavors tested positive for benzene after being exposed to heat and light. Two ingredients in the beverage — ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and sodium benzoate — can apparently combine to form benzene when exposed to these conditions.
Others remaining in the suit after Coca-Cola settled include PepsiCo., Shasta and Rockstar.
"This is about preventing anyone from getting injured," said Andrew Rainer, a Boston attorney who is representing the women. "The levels of benzene in these products is higher then the level that is (allowed) in drinking water."
The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate benzene in beverages other than bottled water. But in an e-mail, the regulatory group said a survey showed that most beverages contained either no benzene or levels below the limit for drinking water. As such, it said that such beverages were not a concern.
Sunny Delight CEO Billy Cyr declined to comment on ongoing litigation. "We're aware of it and we're looking into it," he said.
The defendants, including Sunny Delight and Coca-Cola, had filed a motion to dismiss the suit in December. "A plaintiff who purchased and consumed an allegedly defective product without injury, or an allegation of potential future injury, cannot later demand a refund of the product's purchase price," the motion concluded.
Still, Coca-Cola in mid-May settled and reformulated its Fanta Pineapple and Vault Zero drinks to exclude the benzene-related ingredients. It also posted a notice on its Web site offering the newer product as reimbursement to those who were affected.
Asked if Sunny Delight may have reformulated its drinks, Rainer said he does not know. "They certainly have not said anything to the world about it." Juice Suit
Sunny Delight and several drink makers are being sued. The suit claims their products are prone to carry benzene. Benzene can cause cancer.
source: 30may2007
BEIJING — Three women in three states in America are suing Sunny Delight, PepsiCo., Shasta and Rockstar, alleging some of the companies' juice products are prone to containing benzene, a chemical that can cause cancer, anemia and other illnesses.
The suit was filed in the summer of 2006 by two mothers and a student in Florida, New Jersey and Kansas. They recently got a settlement out of Coca-Cola Co.
The suit alleges Sunny Delight's Baja Orange, Berry and Intense Lemon Lime flavors tested positive for benzene after being exposed to heat and light. Two ingredients in the beverage — ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and sodium benzoate — can apparently combine to form benzene when exposed to these conditions.
"This is about preventing anyone from getting injured," said Andrew Rainer, a Boston attorney who is representing the women. "The levels of benzene in these products is higher than the level that is (allowed) in drinking water."
The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate benzene in beverages other than bottled water. But in an e-mail, the regulatory group said a survey showed most beverages contained either no benzene or levels below the limit for drinking water. As such, it said that such beverages were not a concern.
Coca-Cola in mid-May settled and reformulated its Fanta Pineapple and Vault Zero drinks to exclude the benzene-related ingredients. It also posted a notice on its website offering the newer product as reimbursement to those who were affected.
Asked if Sunny Delight may have reformulated its drinks, Rainer said he does not know. "They certainly have not said anything to the world about it."
(Agencies)
source: 30may2007
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