Lab tests commissioned by the Environmental Working Group recently revealed that several cosmetics with talc may contain asbestos.

The Environmental Working Group – a environmental and consumer safety advocate – reportedly commissioned third party testing of 21 cosmetics with talc. The tested products included powder, liquid, and cream eye shadow, foundation, blush, face powder, and body powder. Baby powder has previously been tested for cancer-causing asbestos.

The electron microscopy testing of these products had concerning results. According to the EWG’s press release, nearly 15% of the tested samples were found to contain asbestos fibers.

The EWG notes that, while the electron microscopy test revealed the presence of asbestos in some cosmetics with talc, the voluntary industry testing method may not have picked up the presence of the carcinogen. According to the EWG, asbestos could be passing undetected to cosmetic products due to this insufficient testing method.

“Many well-known brands use talc in body and facial powders that can be inhaled,” said Nneka Leiba, EWG vice president for Healthy Living Science, in a press release. “In our Skin Deep® online database we have identified more than 2,000 personal care products that contain talc, including over 1,000 loose or pressed powders that could pose an inhalation risk.”

“It’s troubling to think how many Americans have been using talc-based cosmetics products potentially contaminated with asbestos,” Leiba adds.

Cosmetics with Talc: Overview

Talc is found in numerous cosmetics products such as foundations, concealers, eyeshadows, and body powders. In powder products like face powder, talc may be the main ingredient – absorbing oil and other moisture. Talc may even be found in liquid cosmetics such as foundation and concealer due to its contribution to the makeup’s texture and opacity.

With the rise of health concerns associated with talc, some cosmetic companies have transitioned to using other powder ingredients such as corn starch, rice powder, silica, boron nitride, nylon-12, and mica. However, talc is still predominately used in the cosmetics industry.

Talc & Asbestos: What’s The Link?

Although talc is widely used in cosmetics and personal care products, there are concerns that products like baby powder could contain trace amounts of asbestos fibers.

While the safety of talc is hotly debated by researchers, the dangers associated with asbestos are universally recognized. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and become stuck in the lungs. After decades of causing inflammation, asbestos fibers can cause cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.

So, how does this impact talc? Like talc, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which is mined from the earth in the same area as talc. As a result, mined talc could contain asbestos fibers.

To counteract this, the Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrances Association issues voluntary industry standards stating that cosmetics in talc should be free of detectable asbestos. Manufacturers and talc mining companies are supposed to test the talc they sell and screen it for the presence of asbestos.

Despite these regulatory requirements, some asbestos may make it way into cosmetics – as shown by both EWG’s testing and past recalls.

In October 2019, Johnson & Johnson recalled one lot of their baby powder products after the FDA detected the presence of asbestos in a sample. 33,000 bottles of baby powder were included in this recall.

Despite voluntarily recalling these products, Johnson & Johnson later contested the FDA’s results. According to the company, their own testing of the lot found no asbestos in the products.

In light of the discrepancies between Johnson & Johnson’s and the FDA’s testing methods, consumers may be concerned about whether products are being sold despite the presence of asbestos. In February, the FDA opened up a public meeting to discuss the testing of talc for contaminants such as asbestos, though no recommendations or policy changes have been made.