Talcum powder is a common item in many cosmetic products including your baby’s products.

This common ingredient has been used over so many ages as an additive or as the main component of many baby products. While you may not necessary give any thought to this product or it’s source there is increasing report of the danger behind the use of this item. This is especially concerning due to the little knowledge about the harmful effects resulting from the use of this product.

It is concerning also because although the harmful effects of this item have been reported, you will be surprised to still see a lot of products containing talcum powder on your store shelves.

There have been a recent surge of law suits against large companies due to Cancer causing agents or claims if people getting cancer from the use of certain products. Recent cases includes a law suits includes one won by a couple from a claim stating development of cancer from using their talcum powder product. You will be surprised to see that there are still products containing this suspected cancer causing agent from this same company on store shelves including some major retailers in the country.

There is a growing list of claims about the correlation between  talcum powder products  usage and occurrence of some types of cancers including Lung  and ovarian cancers.

Processing

 To understand the concern about talc and it’s effect on your health and that of your baby, it is important to know where and how talc is derived.

Talc is a mineral and just like any other mineral, it is mined and goes  through several processes to come out with a much more refined and pure product that is incorporated into many products such as rubber, cosmetics, paper and others.  The talc ore is found in the same region as some types of asbestos.

What is the concern

Some talc can come as an asbestos-free talc or in its natural form talc which may be contaminated with asbestos. The main concern is that unrefined natural talc though its use in modern products have been said to be discontinued, has been shown to contain traces of asbestos. Asbestos is a lung cancer causing agent. When particles of asbestos are breathed in, these particles travel to the lungs causing  damage and cancer of the lungs.

In laboratory studies done with small animals exposing them to large doses of asbestos free talcum powder, reports indicate a mixed result to include tumor formation from the use of asbestos free talc . There have also been documented cases of increased cases of lung cancer in talc miners.

Alternatives to talc powder

The good news is that there are alternatives to talc based powders. Many companies have cornstarch based powders. So if you are worried about using certain baby products due to their talcum based components, you can rest well. Your baby can still splurge into a silky  bath of powder using some good alternatives out there. Whatever product you choose, or is important to do a good investigation to see if it is a good product