Many children and women are exposed to these carcinogens every day! Experts: Control must be strengthened!

The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer issued a statement

Talc is classified as a Class 2A carcinogen

Some people looked confused.

I've only heard of Sun Dasheng jumping out of a crack in a rock.

How come carcinogens pop up now?

What exactly is this “talcum powder”?

Perhaps many people have never heard of "talcum powder"

But as long as the "talcum powder" is processed, it will be transformed into

We all became old acquaintances.

Pressed powder, eye shadow, blush

Paper, talcum powder, prickly heat powder

Plastics, ceramics, paints, etc.

It can also be used as an excipient for some drugs

Do you still dare to say "we are not familiar with each other" now?

Talcum powder has not been completely criminalized yet!

It’s related to these factors!

The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies carcinogens into four levels:

Category 1, which means there is sufficient evidence to prove that it is carcinogenic to humans, such as smoking and aflatoxin;

Category 2A , probably carcinogenic, meaning there is sufficient evidence from animal studies, but limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans;

Category 2B: possibly carcinogenic, with insufficient evidence of carcinogenicity to humans, but sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity to animals;

Category 3: it is not certain whether it causes cancer.

A study published in The Lancet Oncology by the World Health Organization stated that the classification of talc as a possible carcinogen was mainly based on "limited evidence" that talc may cause ovarian cancer, "sufficient evidence" that talc is associated with cancer in rats, and "strong mechanistic evidence" that talc shows signs of carcinogenicity in human cells.

Because the findings are observational, they cannot prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

The Class 2A carcinogens classified by IARC also include the nitrates or nitrites that we are more familiar with, some chemotherapy drugs used clinically, and even red meat and hot drinks above 65°C, but this does not mean that these factors will eventually cause cancer.

In other words, the assessment study emphasizes "possible", not certain, carcinogenicity . Whether the carcinogenic risk factor ultimately causes cancer, the dose, time and method of exposure are all factors that need to be considered.

Industry experts suggest that, given current research, there is no need to panic, but products with related ingredients must be closely controlled.

The real murderer may be "asbestos"!

What is the relationship between them?

"Talc" is known as "the softest stone in the world". "Talc powder" is made from crushed "talc", and its main component is hydrated magnesium silicate. Natural talc powder is likely to contain asbestos , which is classified as a "Class 1 carcinogen" by IARC.

Because natural talc is buried underground together with serpentinite containing asbestos, there is a risk of cross-contamination between talc and asbestos during the mining process.

As a Class 1 carcinogen, asbestos fibers are so small that they are almost invisible to the naked eye. They can enter the human body through the respiratory tract, attach and deposit in the lungs, and can even lurk for 20-40 years. They are very difficult to deal with!

Exposure to asbestos may cause lung cancer, laryngeal cancer and ovarian cancer, and may also lead to mesothelioma, or terrible consequences such as pulmonary fibrosis, pleural plaques, pleural thickening and pleural effusion.

Can I still use things containing talc safely?

This is how you can prevent it!

Although asbestos is bad, you don’t need to worry too much because it has been sentenced to death!

Asbestos is a banned component in my country's "Technical Specifications for Safety of Cosmetics (2015 Edition)". As a harmful substance that may be introduced into talcum powder, asbestos has a limit value of "not detectable".

According to the "Specifications for Cosmetic Registration and Filing Inspection Work", "Products containing talcum powder raw materials in their formulas must be tested for asbestos."

Therefore, cosmetics containing talcum powder that have been registered and filed before being put on the market and have been tested by a testing and inspection agency (CMA) and have issued a qualified report on the "asbestos" content should theoretically not contain the harmful substance "asbestos" and consumers can purchase them with confidence.

The talc in the cosmetics we use in daily life is different from industrial talc. In fact, as long as the quality of the talc is up to standard and the talc content in the cosmetics is not too high, even if it is accidentally inhaled or comes into contact with the mucous membrane, it is not enough to cause the occurrence of malignant tumors.

Doctor Yuanyuan's health tips:

When purchasing related products, you should choose regular brands

Do not buy products that contain asbestos

To further reduce potential risks

When using powder products

Avoid direct contact with mucous membranes

If you cannot avoid powder flying during application

You can hold your breath briefly to avoid inhalation through your nose and mouth

Audit Expert

Zhou JinChief Physician

Doctor of Oncology, First-level Outpatient Specialist

Deputy Director of Oncology and Director of Thoracic Oncology Ward 1

Clinic hours: Monday afternoon, Thursday morning (Wuhou Campus)

Tuesday afternoon (Tianfu Campus)