Last Updated November 19, 2020

The association between talcum powder and increased risk for ovarian cancer and mesothelioma is one that simultaneously is the focus of much research and the object of extensive litigation. Industry leaders and researchers have spent a great deal of time and money bolstering their arguments concerning talc’s possible relationship to both ailments.

With that in mind, there is relatively little discussion elsewhere regarding some other potential illnesses associated with talcum powder products, as well as other possible cancer risks. Talc-based baby powder products can cause respiratory ailments for both babies and adults alike if inhaled. Additionally, some research has associated talc with other cancers such as lung cancer and uterine cancer.

Talc and Asbestos – A Key Distinction

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that appears as almost grey or green with a greasy type of texture. When talc is processed, crushed, dried, and milled – it develops its signature soft, white powdery look and feel.  Historically, talc has been mined in close proximity to concentrated asbestos deposits. Asbestos is a well-known carcinogen. Therefore, it has been understood for some time that naturally occurring talc will contain some amounts of asbestos.

Over the years, talc’s properties for moisture absorption and friction reduction have made it a very popular ingredient in many household items such as baby powder and a range of cosmetic products. However, concerns about asbestos exposure led the Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CFTA) to develop an internal “self-policing” standard within the United States wherein members agreed that their products should be free of “detectable amounts” of asbestos. The World Health Organization (WHO) does not believe that any amount of asbestos is safe, detectable, or not.

Accordingly, when thinking about talc and the risk for cancer and other diseases – it must be remembered that some manufacturers claim that their talc products are “asbestos-free”. It is an important distinction because the linkage between cancer and asbestos is clear. The link between talc-free asbestos and the risk for illness is not as well understood or researched.

Talc Inhalation and Pneumonia Risk

Infants and children may suffer from “acute talc inhalation” symptoms, although the condition is very rare in adults. When applied to the skin, talc is largely harmless. However, talc does not dissolve in water and when inhaled immediately sets to dry up mucous membranes in the windpipe and lungs. Coughing or sneezing symptoms ranging up to sometimes fatal severe respiratory distress can result.

Infants and children suffering from acute talc inhalation must receive immediate medical attention. Treatment will usually involve medication to stimulate the bronchial passageways in the lungs and chest x-rays to monitor for inflammation as well as the administration of antibiotics to counter any possible onset of bacterial pneumonia.  

Other Potential Cancer Risks from Talc

Stomach Cancers

A March 2019 article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health studied the potential for increased risk of stomach cancers from ingestion of asbestos-free talc. The study focused upon a population in Taiwan that had consumed Chinese herbal remedies that contained asbestos-free talc (commonly used as a diuretic and antacid). The study was conducted through Taiwan’s health insurance registry database and participants were followed to learn of any diagnosis of stomach cancer. At the conclusion of the study, researchers believed there is a “positive association” between increased stomach cancer risk and ingestion of asbestos-free talc.

Uterine and Cervical Cancers

Over the years, a range of studies and research have discovered a positive association between “dusting” of the female genitalia with talcum powder and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The International Association for the Research of Cancer (IARC), a unit of the World Health Organization (WHO) classified “perineal use” of talcum powder as a “Group 2B” human carcinogen in 2006. Specifically, the IARC found that between 16-52% of women in the world used talcum powder on their genitals and that among them there was an increased risk of ovarian cancer ranging from 30-60%.

While there has been a great deal of credible research on the linkage between ovarian cancer and talcum powder, not as much attention has been focused on a possible relationship to other female reproductive ailments. A 2011 article in the journal Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention reported on a study of over 66,000 women with nearly 600 cases of uterine cancer diagnosed between 1982 and 2004. The study suggested that there was an association between talcum powder and uterine cancer, particularly among postmenopausal women.

Other studies have found no linkage between talc and uterine or cervical cancers. The American Cancer Society and other experts agree, however, that further research is needed to explore the potential risk.

Lung Cancer

The risk of lung cancer from exposure to inhaled asbestos is well established. Asbestos is one of the most well-documented carcinogens known to the medical profession. However, the cancer risk from asbestos-free talc is less understood, outside of an industrial or mining setting. A 2006 study of talc miners and millers did not observe any higher rate of lung cancer mortality rates, outside of other risk factors such as smoking. However, other studies have suggested a possible link between long-term industrial exposure without drawing any specific conclusions.  Experts agree though, that additional research is warranted.  

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