KATHMANDU: Based on sufficient evidence of cancer in rats, strong mechanistic evidence of carcinogenic signs in human cells, and limited evidence linking talc to ovarian cancer in humans, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified talc as "probably carcinogenic" for humans. Even with this categorization, a third-party specialist issued a warning, saying that this should not be mistaken for conclusive evidence linking talc to cancer.
Talc, a naturally occurring mineral that is often used in baby powder and cosmetics, is the most hazardous during mining, processing, or product manufacture. trials regularly demonstrate an elevated risk of ovarian cancer in women who use talc on their genitals, but the likelihood of asbestos contamination in certain trials implies a causative role for talc cannot be entirely proved.
Kevin McConway, a statistician at the UK's Open University, noted that the IARC's classification only indicates the potential for talc to cause cancer under unspecified conditions, without proving a direct causation. Observational studies cannot establish causation, so the findings do not definitively confirm that talc use increases cancer risk.
The news comes after Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $700 million in a settlement over charges that it deceived customers about the safety of its talcum-based powder products, although not admitting wrongdoing. A 2020 overview of research covering 250,000 women in the United States revealed no statistical relationship between genital talc usage and ovarian cancer risk.
Additionally, the IARC classified acrylonitrile, a chemical compound used in making polymers for consumer products, as "carcinogenic to humans," citing sufficient evidence of its link to lung cancer. This classification places acrylonitrile at the highest warning level for its potential to cause cancer.
