Much has been written regarding the link between talc and mesothelioma, including our recent blog. However, a new Consumer Lab Answer suggests that the use of talc in products outside of talcum powder might ultimately prove hazardous to individuals.
With the potential dangers of talcum powder use and the recent verdict, many consumers are hesitant to trust any product containing talc. Talc is added to dietary supplements for various reasons including as an anti-clumping agent and is “generally recognized as safe” as a food additive by the FDA.
Most talc mines are heavily contaminated with asbestos because the veins of asbestos and talc run together in the mines. Unless the talc product has been tested by independent specialty labs using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) then one cannot be certain whether or not the talc is contaminated with asbestos.
What Can Cause the Contamination?
Since talc and asbestos are often mined and found near each other naturally, talc products can often be contaminated with asbestos. For this reason, the FDA has a long history of encouraging mining practices intended to keep talc free of asbestos.
Asbestos exposure, whether ingested or inhaled, can lead to devastating medical conditions such as asbestosis or mesothelioma. If you were diagnosed or lost a loved one to one of these serious diseases, we encourage you to discuss your situation with a skilled legal professional today.
