Talc, found in baby powder and cosmetics, is “probably” cancer-causing, says WHO agency

Johnson & Johnson — a brand widely known for its pharmaceutical and personal care products — was reportedly battling over 40,000 lawsuits in July last year. All of these stemmed from one allegation: the company’s talc products, including the popular baby powder, had been tainted with asbestos. The lawsuits claimed that this contamination had, or could have, led to the development of cancers, such as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, in its users.

While the company has since switched over from talc to a cornstarch-based baby powder, health departments have continued to emphasise the risk of talc-related cancer. And now, an agency related to the World Health Organization has renewed the sentiment.

Carcinogenic properties of talc

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral widely used in talcum powder, baby powder, and cosmetics. Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified talc as "probably carcinogenic" to humans.

The agency’s decision was influenced by several factors: there is limited but consistent evidence linking talc use to ovarian cancer in women who applied it to their genital area. Additionally, sufficient evidence indicates that talc causes cancer in rats. Finally, the mineral also demonstrates carcinogenic properties in human cells, as per their report.
While these elements together led to the classification, the agency explained that these findings cannot be deemed as definitive yet. The IARC noted that it couldn’t entirely rule out asbestos contamination in some studies, complicating the interpretation of results.

Experts caution against overreaction

Despite the IARC's classification, experts have urged that the public exercise caution in the interpretation of the findings. The IARC's assessment focuses on potential carcinogenicity under unspecified conditions rather than establishing a direct cause-effect link.

This means that there is a lack of a "smoking gun", or no clear evidence that definitively confirms that talc use directly increases cancer risk. This caution is crucial for public understanding, as the IARC's evaluations can be easily misconstrued.

Broader implications and industry response

The IARC's announcement follows recent legal and corporate developments. Johnson & Johnson, a major producer of talcum-based products, agreed to a $700 million settlement over allegations it misled customers about the safety of its talc products. The company, however, did not admit wrongdoing even as it withdrew its talcum-based powders from many markets.

Further complicating the narrative, a 2020 meta-analysis involving over 2.5 lakh women in the United States found no statistical link between talc use on the genitals and ovarian cancer risk. This discrepancy underscores the complexity of the issue and the need for further research.

While the findings point to potential risks, the evidence is not conclusive. Consumers, healthcare professionals, and industry stakeholders must balance the current understanding with ongoing scientific inquiry to ensure informed decisions and safety standards.