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Assessment of Health Risk from Historical Use of Cosmetic Talcum Powder

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  • Elizabeth L. Anderson
  • Patrick J. Sheehan
  • Renee M. Kalmes
  • John R. Griffin

Abstract

This study's objective is to assess the risk of asbestos‐related disease being contracted by past users of cosmetic talcum powder. To our knowledge, no risk assessment studies using exposure data from historical exposures or chamber simulations have been published. We conducted activity‐based sampling with cosmetic talcum powder samples from five opened and previously used containers that are believed to have been first manufactured and sold in the 1960s and 1970s. These samples had been subject to conflicting claims of asbestos content; samples with the highest claimed asbestos content were tested. The tests were conducted in simulated‐bathroom controlled chambers with volunteers who were talc users. Air sampling filters were prepared by direct preparation techniques and analyzed by phase contrast microscopy (PCM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy‐dispersive x‐ray (EDX) spectra, and selective area diffraction (SAED). TEM analysis for asbestos resulted in no confirmed asbestos fibers and only a single fiber classified as “ambiguous.” Hypothetical treatment of this fiber as if it were asbestos yields a risk of 9.6 × 10−7 (under one in one million) for a lifetime user of this cosmetic talcum powder. The exposure levels associated with these results range from zero to levels far below those identified in the epidemiology literature as posing a risk for asbestos‐related disease, and substantially below published historical environmental background levels. The approaches used for this study have potential application to exposure evaluations of other talc or asbestos‐containing materials and consumer products.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth L. Anderson & Patrick J. Sheehan & Renee M. Kalmes & John R. Griffin, 2017. "Assessment of Health Risk from Historical Use of Cosmetic Talcum Powder," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(5), pages 918-929, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:37:y:2017:i:5:p:918-929
    DOI: 10.1111/risa.12664
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael Greenberg & Bernard D. Goldstein & Elizabeth Anderson & Michael Dourson & Wayne Landis & D. Warner North, 2015. "Whither Risk Assessment: New Challenges and Opportunities a Third of a Century After the Red Book," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 35(11), pages 1959-1968, November.
    2. G. P. Brorby & P. J. Sheehan & D. W. Berman & K. T. Bogen & S. E. Holm, 2013. "Exposures from Chrysotile‐Containing Joint Compound: Evaluation of New Model Relating Respirable Dust to Fiber Concentrations," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(1), pages 161-176, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pat E. Rasmussen & Christine Levesque & Jianjun Niu & Howard D. Gardner & Gregory Nilsson & Kristin Macey, 2019. "Characterization of Airborne Particles Emitted During Application of Cosmetic Talc Products," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Amanda M. Burns & Christy A. Barlow & Amber M. Banducci & Kenneth M. Unice & Jennifer Sahmel, 2019. "Response to Letter to the Editor," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 39(12), pages 2604-2607, December.
    3. Amanda M. Burns & Christy A. Barlow & Amber M. Banducci & Kenneth M. Unice & Jennifer Sahmel, 2019. "Potential Airborne Asbestos Exposure and Risk Associated with the Historical Use of Cosmetic Talcum Powder Products," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 39(10), pages 2272-2294, October.
    4. Murray Martin Finkelstein, 2018. "Letter Concerning: Glynn ME, Keeton KA, Gaffney SH, Sahmel J. Ambient Asbestos Fiber Concentrations and Long‐Term Trends in Pleural Mesothelioma Incidence Between Urban and Rural Areas in the United S," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 38(8), pages 1521-1523, August.
    5. Kara A. Keeton & Meghan E. Glynn & Shannon H. Gaffney & Jennifer Sahmel, 2018. "Response to Letter to the Editor Regarding “Ambient Asbestos Fiber Concentrations and Long‐Term Trends in Pleural Mesothelioma Incidence Between Urban and Rural Areas in the United States (1973–2012)”," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 38(8), pages 1524-1528, August.

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