Talc is considered the softest mineral available on earth. Talc is commonly used in cosmetic make up, skin, and food items. Talc is a moisture absorber which keeps the skin dry and helps with friction. It has been long used for several day-to-day uses of skin.
Normally, people use talcum powder during the summers to keep the skin dry and avoid perspiration. Components in the talcum powder may lead to dermatitis and skin irritation. Talcum powder also blocks the skin pores, thus, leading to the rashes and impairing sweating by rising the temperature of the body.
Why do people rely on Talc?
Talc is used in day to day lives to prevent rashes caused due to chaffing and stops the irritation caused due to summer heat. It also eases friction on the skin. Talc is generally a good choice for all of us. Its use by women and men alike makes it a more favorable product for skin care.
What is the Link between Cancer and Talc?
Talc is made up of silicon, magnesium, and oxygen but all in the natural state. It also contains asbestos, which is responsible for causing cancer when inhaled. After much controversies talc which is free from asbestos have been presented in the market.
Generally, a chemical substance when used in excess and something like talc, which has excellent absorption capacity, make a person prone to cancer. Mesothelioma is a tumour which is also a result of inhaled asbestos.
What is the Safety of TALC?
Regarding the claims on the safety of talc, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that talc and asbestos can be found in the earth while mining. This could contaminate talc with asbestos and so the problem starts from there. Inhalation of talc can also cause many respiratory problems, including coughing, eye irritation, and breathing difficulty. Burning sensation in the eye; abdominal problems like vomiting, diarrhoea might also occur.
FDA guidelines
Talc powder which is containing asbestos is classified as “carcinogenic to humans” whereas talc which is not containing asbestos is being classified as “non-carcinogenic to the humans”. Thus talc may prove to be carcinogenic when used with asbestos.