National Toxicology Program

1) Cosmetic talc
2) Occupational exposure to talc

• Primary Uses or Exposures: Talc occurs in various geological settings around the world. Exposure to general population occurs through use of products such as cosmetics. Occupational exposure occurs during mining, milling and processing.
• Nominated by: NIEHS
• Basis for Nomination: The NTP deferred consideration of listing talc (asbestiform and non-asbestiform talc) in the 10th RoC because its 2000 review of talc found confusion in the scientific literature over the mineral nature of talc. Given the confusion over defining exposure to talc based on asbestiform fibers, the NTP has decided that the most appropriate approach would be to characterize talc exposure as cosmetic talc and occupational exposure to talc. The basis for the review of talc is as follows:
  • Cosmetic talc: Human epidemiological studies reporting an increased risk of ovarian cancer among women using talc for personal use.
  • Occupational exposure to talc: Human epidemiological studies reporting an increase risk of cancer among workers exposed to talc.
• Current Status: Withdrawn from review