Monica Bolyard, on behalf of herself and a class of others similarly situated, has filed a lawsuit against Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Case No. 1:24-cv-03138) on April 18, 2024. The suit alleges that Walgreens manufactured and sold benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products containing dangerously high levels of benzene, a known human carcinogen.
Bolyard's claim is based on her personal knowledge, her counsel's investigation, and information and belief regarding all other matters. Independent laboratory Valisure LLC found high levels of benzene in BPO products, including those sold by Walgreens, leading to a petition to the FDA for recall and suspension of all such products.
Valisure’s study showed that BPO products can form over 800 times the FDA concentration limit of 2 parts per million (ppm) for benzene. This includes one of Walgreens' BPO Products which was found to contain approximately 400 ppm when exposed to temperatures expected through normal consumer handling.
Bolyard seeks judgment against Walgreens for manufacturing and selling these unsafe products. She demands a jury trial and hopes to represent all others who have been similarly affected by this issue.