Asbestos exposure can lead to serious illnesses. Some people develop lung conditions, such as asbestosis. Asbestos also has a clear connection to several kinds of cancer. Mesothelioma, a cancer that begins in the organ linings, has a known connection with asbestos.
Individuals with mesothelioma frequently have a history of working with asbestos. Others may have exposure caused by consumer products. Talc powder sometimes contains asbestos. Both talc and asbestos are naturally-occurring mineral substances that are often near one another in the earth.
Companies mining for talc sometimes accidentally also extract asbestos. There are numerous products that could contain asbestos. People who use those products could be at elevated risk of developing mesothelioma and other forms of cancer.
What products contain talc and could, therefore, potentially expose people to asbestos?
Baby powder
For years, talc powder used as a bath and beauty solution was marketed as baby powder. The implication was that parents could sprinkle it into diapers to keep an infant’s bottom dry. Many people continue to use talc powders into adulthood, which may mean they have decades of exposure risk. There have been numerous cases of mesothelioma and reproductive cancer linked directly to contaminated talc powders.
Face powder
Women and some men have historically used facial powders to cover blemishes and create a more even skin tone. Also known as powder foundation, facial powders frequently have a talc base. Unfortunately, that means that some of them may also contain asbestos. People who consistently use face powders could have unknowingly exposed themselves to asbestos.
Pressed makeups
Many popular modern makeup products come in a pressed powder form. Blushes, highlighters, contour powders and eyeshadow are all products that frequently contain large amounts of talc. In some cases, these cosmetic products may be available as a loose powder rather than a pressed powder in a cake. In either form, these products could potentially contain trace amounts of asbestos. The unfortunate reality is that any level of asbestos exposure could eventually lead to cancer.
Those who have used talc-based products may be at risk of mesothelioma and other deadly cancers. Connecting a diagnosis to contaminated talc powder can be the first step toward demanding accountability. Consumers may need help evaluating their circumstances after a shocking cancer diagnosis, and that’s okay.