Talc Hazards Overview

Health concerns about talc revolve mainly around the non-platiform content, the extent to which these are asbestos, and how high the aspect ratio (length:width ratio) of non-platy particles need to be to make them a hazard. In ceramics, the platy form is used, so fibrous talc particles are considered a contaminant of that. In recent years (since 2020) litigation has shut down a number of talc suppliers in the US, it is not clear how closely this relates to the actual hazard of talc. Ceramic body manufacturers are evaluating how to substitute talc for other materials (especially in low fire whites where talc raises the thermal expansion to make glaze fit easier).

ACGIH TLV and OSHA PEL: 2 mg/cubic meter, 8 hr. TWA, Respirable Dust (talc containing no asbestos fibers).
CAS: 71949-90-1
Chlorite (typical 3%) ACGIH TLV: 10 mg/cubic meter 8 hr. TWA
CAS: 14808-60-7 Silica: (typical 2%) ACGIH TLV & OSHA PEL: 0.1 mg/cubic meter 8 hr. TWA, Respirable Dust

Wilson039;s RISK Scale of Material Hazards
(1-4 higher numbers are increased hazard)

R 1 (reactivity)
I 2 (inhalation)
S 1 (skin contact)
K 1 (kindling/fire)

May cause irritation to upper respiratory tract.

Pre-existing lung disease may be aggravated by exposure to dust. Prolonged over exposure can cause Talcosis (a pulmonary fibrosis of the lungs). Although talc is a fibrous magnesium silicate as is asbestos, it does not have the same effect on the lungs. The two minerals are closely associated, and most commercial talcs do contain some asbestos.

Talc is not characterized as a carcinogen by NTP, IARC, ACGIH or OSHA.

Talc may contain extremely small amounts (less than 2 ppm) of substances regulated under drinking water regulations: e.g. arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel.

Phsyical Data:

Water Solubility: Insoluble
Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.8
Melting Point: 1650-1830F (900-1000F)
Flash Point: Non-combustible
Hazardous Decomposition Products: None
Stability: High resistant to acids, alkalies, heat.
Disposal: Talc is not a hazardous waste.

References

An excellent discussion of talc hazards can be found in 039;Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices039; from the American Conference of Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, OH
039;Patty039;s Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology039;, John Wiley & Sons has information on asbestosis and talcosis.

By Tony Hansen
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Hazards	Asbestos Toxicity
Hazards	Talc Toxicology
URLs	http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/icsc/dtasht/_icsc00/icsc0014.htm Asbestos at ilo.org
URLs	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos Asbestos at Wikipedia
URLs	https://insight-live.com/insight/share.php?z=P8uThTnFoY Replace Talc with Nepheline Syenite in low temperature white bodies This is a development project at Plainsman Clays. It is in response to Texas talc no longer being available in North America.
URLs	https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/8551/ $4.69 billion verdict against Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder To 22 women who alleged the powder caused their ovarian cancer.
URLs	https://www.asbestos.com/news/2021/05/04/canada-talc-restrictions/ Canada moves toward increased talc restrictions, but not in ceramics Health Canada issued an official advisory in April 2021, concluding that loose talc products (in body powder) can cause serious lung problems. However the final assessment found there were no health concerns from pressed-powder products (e.g. talc in paper, paint, ceramics, plastics or putties).
URLs	https://www.lawsuit-information-center.com/2-billion-verdict-in-missouri-motivates-jj-to-settle-talcum-powder-lawsuits.html Lawsuit Information Center - Talcum powder pending cases almost 60K The Talcum powder MDL added 146 new cases in Nov 2024, bringing the total to 58,198.
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