Is aerosol sunscreen bad for you? While on a relaxing visit with family for the 4th, a coworker passed me a story about the use of a particular aerosol sunscreen being associated with a risk of actually catching fire. I understand it’s summertime, and many people enjoy fireworks, but I’ve little doubt that few people are interested in turning themselves into a human tiki torch. All jokes aside, this is a serious matter that has led to nearly half a dozen people literally catching fire after using aerosol sunscreen. So why has did this happen and how can you still get protection from the sun without the risk of fire?

Previously, I’ve discussed the use of aerosol sunscreens, noting that they should be avoided. The primary reason we suggest avoiding these types of sunscreen is simply because sunscreen often contains chemicals that work just fine for blocking UV rays but are easily inhaled when delivered in aerosol form. Remember, it’s skin, not your lungs, that need protection from the sun. Many of the chemicals in aerosols can damage lung tissue, so to avoid inhalation, we always recommend a lotion style sunscreen to avoid aerosol sunscreen dangers.

_Modern aerosols use a propellant to deliver the product contained inside the can. So in each aerosol can, there is a mix of the actual substance that is being delivered as well as chemicals/propellants to deliver it. Both of these things are kept under pressure, so when you press the valve at the top of the can, out comes the product and propellant.

_Propellants can vary, but one of the most common substances used in modern aerosol cans is LPG – liquefied petroleum gas. Now typically when someone says the phrase, ‘liquefied petroleum gas’ to you, the first thought is often something like, ‘Oh you mean gasoline?’ or ‘Open flame, bad idea’. Most of us probably use aerosol cans on a daily basis and think little of the fact that what is inside the can is often highly flammable.

_Much of the time, the propellant quickly evaporates once sprayed, but if the ratio of propellant to product inside the can is off, the pressure inside the can is not correct, or as was the case with this sunscreen, there is a problem with the valve system, too little or too much of the propellant can be expelled and cause a potentially dangerous situation. This is also why there are warnings on the bottles saying not to use near an open flame and do not inhale.

_So look through your closet or beach bag and if you have any Banana Boat sunscreen, compare the UPC to this recall list. If you have a match, throw it away and replace it with a lotion style sunscreen. I know. It’s not as convenient as the aerosol type, but the human inferno act – is better left to professional stuntmen or Marvel comic book characters.

So, to recap……………………
_

_To see the original article.

_Author: K. Gilmore