Canada Moves Toward Increased Talc Restrictions

Canada may soon become the first country to legally restrict the use of popular talc-based products, stemming from an extensive, recently completed human health assessment of the naturally occurring mineral. Health Canada, the governmental agency responsible for national health policy, issued an official advisory in April, concluding that loose talc products – such as body powder, baby powder and genital deodorants – can cause serious lung problems and ovarian cancer. The agency has proposed expanded restrictions on the use of talc in cosmetics, natural health products and nonprescription drugs that can be inhaled or used in the female genital area. It also intends to move talc onto the government’s official toxic substances list. Its goal, according to the Health Canada advisory, is to lower all exposure to talc. “Canada is the first country in the world to propose action to help manage the human health risks of talc,” the advisory stated. Talc Safety Under Legal Scrutiny Known as the softest mineral on Earth, talc was once used extensively in cosmetic and personal care items. It has come under intense scrutiny in recent years, stemming from thousands of talc lawsuits involving possible asbestos contamination. Talc often is mined in proximity to asbestos, a toxic mineral that can lead to serious health problems, including lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. According to KCIC, a well-regarded legal consulting firm in Washington, D.C., a l...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: news