KEY POINTS
-
The FDA approved bemotrizinol, or BEMT, in June, and the first products containing the ingredient are reaching U.S. retailers.
-
The National Cancer Institute projects 112,000 new melanoma cases and 8,510 deaths in the U.S. in 2026.
-
New sunscreen formulas could improve jobsite adoption, but shade, protective clothing, scheduling and reapplication remain central to worker protection.
Construction workers have a new sunscreen option as manufacturers bring products containing bemotrizinol, or BEMT, to U.S. store shelves.
The Associated Press reported that the first formulas, including products from Neutrogena and other manufacturers, are now reaching retailers after the Food and Drug Administration approved the ingredient in June.
The development arrives as contractors and safety managers continue to address a familiar exposure on outdoor jobsites: ultraviolet radiation.
BEMT does not change workplace safety requirements or eliminate the need for broader sun-protection practices. But its arrival could give employers and workers another product option if the formula’s broad-spectrum coverage and features make sunscreen easier to use consistently.
What is the New Sunscreen Option
The FDA’s final administrative order added BEMT to the over-the-counter sunscreen monograph, making it the first new active sunscreen ingredient added in more than two decades.
The agency determined that BEMT can provide protection against both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation and is generally recognized as safe and effective under specified conditions, including concentrations up to 6%.
The AP reported that FDA reviewers evaluated studies involving more than 500 people and found nearly undetectable absorption into the skin, meaning it stayed on the skin to protect it, and out of the bloodstream.
Dermatologists told the AP that BEMT may address some drawbacks associated with older formulas, including visible white streaking and instability in sunlight.
Those features may matter on construction sites, where sunscreen competes with heat, sweat, dust, gloves and other personal protective equipment. A product that workers find more comfortable or less visible could remove one barrier to regular use.
There is not yet evidence that BEMT itself reduces occupational skin-cancer rates, however, so any benefit for construction employers would depend on whether workers use it correctly and consistently.
Construction Workers Face the Sun as a Job Risk
Skin cancer remains a significant public-health concern. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that 112,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with melanoma and 8,510 will die from it in 2026.
The NCI also identifies ultraviolet exposure as an important environmental factor in skin-cancer development.
Construction-specific data show a gap between exposure and prevention. In a 2019 CDC study of agricultural and construction workers, 50.2% of construction-industry workers said they never used sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 when outside on a warm, sunny day for more than an hour.
Among construction workers by occupation, 55.6% reported never using sunscreen. The study also found that 60.2% of construction-industry workers never wore a hat that shaded the face, ears and neck.
CDC Says Protect Yourself from the Harmful Effects of the Sun
The CDC recommends a layered approach for employers: provide shade or cooling areas, schedule breaks away from direct sunlight, adjust outdoor work when practical, and train workers on UV risks.
Workers should also use broad-spectrum sunscreen, wear protective clothing and reapply sunscreen as directed, particularly after heavy sweating.
BEMT is best viewed as an additional tool rather than a standalone control. One practical question is whether easier-to-wear products can help make sun protection a routine part of the daily routine, with hydration, heat awareness and protective equipment already on the jobsite.
Watch Sun Safety Tip: Use Sunscreen from the CDC to learn the best ways to use sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. Video: CDC
Stay Connected
Stay connected with ConstructConnect News for construction industry news and construction market analysis to stay ahead of what’s building next.
About ConstructConnect
At ConstructConnect, our software solutions provide the information construction professionals need to start every project on a solid foundation. For more than 100 years, our insights and market intelligence have empowered commercial firms, manufacturers, trade contractors, and architects to make data-driven decisions and maximize productivity.
ConstructConnect is a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), part of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000.
For more information, visit constructconnect.com
