A popular blood pressure medication has hit the news for containing a controversial chemical that has been linked to causing cancer.

Online pharmacy Valisure has issued a petition to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding blood-pressure tablets that include dimethylformamide, or DMF.

This solvent has been found in valsartan, produced by several large pharmaceutical companies, despite it being classified as a probably human carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

Valisure is calling for the FDA to recall the tablets, and wants the acceptable intake levels of DMF to be reduced from 8,800,000 nanograms to under 1,000 nanograms.

A spokesperson from the FDA told CBS MoneyWatch that it is important users continue their medication before discussing their options with their doctor, stating: “The risk associated with abruptly discontinuing the use of these important medicines far outweighs the low risk that our scientists estimate to be associated with continuing the medicine until the patient’s doctor or pharmacist provides a safe replacement or a different treatment option.”

The solvent DMF is commonly used in chemical manufacturing and for textile pigmentation, as well as pharmaceutical production.

This is despite DMF being linked to liver damage, a huge range of cancers, and a variety of other health conditions, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It states: “This substance is readily absorbed through the skin and is known to be toxic to the liver … DMF is also known to cause skin problems and alcohol intolerance. Some reports also suggest an increase in cancer among workers exposed to DMF.”

For more information on chemical analysis in the UK, take a look here.