Does talc contain crystalline silica?
Crystalline silica is one of the most common minerals on our planet, representing about 12% of the earth’s crust. As in most naturally occurring mineral substances, talc can contain some crystalline silica (generally less than 5%). The main health effect of exposure to crystalline silica is silicosis, a progressive and impairing fibrosis. This illness develops as the consequence of long term exposure to excessive amounts of respirable crystalline silica particles. A recent evaluation (IARC – International Agency for Research on Cancer – 1997) concluded that crystalline silica is a human carcinogen. This conclusion was limited to certain occupational circumstances only. There is a consistent body of evidence supporting the fact that carcinogenic effects, if any, are secondary to the well known fibrogenic effect of crystalline silica. At the present stage, all established evidence suggests that prevention is the appropriate way of managing this issue. The silicosis risk should be evaluat
