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TALC
Score:
Data: Good
- Other Concerns
- Functions
- About the Chemical
- Synonyms
-
Use restrictions (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), and Contamination concerns (high)
Cancer 
Cancer: Ingredients linked to cancer in government, industry or academic studies or assessments.
Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity
Developmental and reproductive toxicity: Ingredients linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, a broad class of health effects that range from infertility and reproductive organ cancers to birth defects and developmental delays in children.
Allergies & Immunotoxicity
Allergies and immunotoxicity: Ingredients linked to harm to the immune system, a class of health problems that manifest as allergic reactions or an impaired capacity to fight disease and repair damaged tissue in the body.
Products with this Ingredient
| eye shadow | 894 products |
| foundation | 569 products |
| bronzer/highlighter | 298 products |
| facial powder | 294 products |
| blush | 262 products |
| lipstick | 243 products |
| concealer | 149 products |
| eye liner | 115 products |
| brow liner | 107 products |
| antiperspirant/deodorant | 94 products |
| setting powder/spray | 71 products |
| makeup primer | 64 products |
| mascara | 49 products |
| antiperspirant/deodorant (men's) | 44 products |
| BB cream | 26 products |
| daily use with SPF | 26 products |
| mask | 26 products |
| lip liner | 21 products |
| bar soap | 16 products |
| lip balm | 15 products |
| hair color and bleaching | 13 products |
| CC cream | 12 products |
| exfoliant/scrub | 12 products |
| body powder | 11 products |
| anti-aging | 11 products |
| facial cleanser | 11 products |
| lip gloss | 10 products |
| glitter | 8 products |
| recreational sunscreen | 7 products |
| diaper cream | 7 products |
| serums & essences | 6 products |
| 5 products | |
| foot odor control | 5 products |
| facial moisturizer/treatment | 4 products |
| baby powder | 4 products |
| around-eye cream | 3 products |
| hair styling aide | 3 products |
| nail polish | 3 products |
| shampoo | 3 products |
| other eye makeup | 3 products |
| bath oil/salts/soak | 2 products |
| nail treatment | 2 products |
| body spray | 2 products |
| body wash/cleanser | 2 products |
| fragrance for women | 2 products |
| eyelash glue | 1 products |
| depilatory | 1 products |
| oil controller | 1 products |
| liquid hand soap | 1 products |
| foot moisturizer | 1 products |
| sunless tanning | 1 products |
| hand cream | 1 products |
Contamination concerns
| Chemical |
|---|
| ASBESTIFORM FIBERS |
Cancer
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Talc is routinely contaminated with asbestos, a known human carcinogen, according to testing by the US FDA. | US. Food and Drug Administration. 2020. Talc. Accessed at https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/talc, June 17, 2020. |
Use restrictions
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Violation of government restrictions - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - any | CosIng |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics | Canada - Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetics Ingredients |
| Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics. | Health Canada 2011. List of Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients. Canada |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
| Classified as medium human health priority | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
| Limited evidence of respiratory toxicity | A Relational Database of Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases Browse Haz-Map by Adverse Effects http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/hazmapadv.html, Klaassen, C., M. Amdur and J. Doull (eds.). Casarett and Doull |
Data gaps
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| 23653 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical | NLM PubMed |
Ecotoxicology
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Multiple, additive exposure sources
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Food Additive Status |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Everything Added to Food |
Informational
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - any | Final report 03/2013 available from CIR |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Not suspected to be bioaccumulative | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Data Sources
- US. Food and Drug Administration. 2020. Talc. Accessed at https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/talc, June 17, 2020.
- European Commission. 2013. Cosing, the European Commission database with information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. Accessed on March 1, 2013 at http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/ .
- Health Canada. 2007. List of Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients. Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. March 2007.
- Health Canada 2011. List of Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients. Canada
- EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
- A Relational Database of Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases Browse Haz-Map by Adverse Effects http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/hazmapadv.html, Klaassen, C., M. Amdur and J. Doull (eds.). Casarett and Doull
- NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.
- FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Food Additive Status List. Downloaded from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/opa-appa.html, Oct 16, 2006.
- FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
- Final report 03/2013 available from CIR
- This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns.
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EWG provides information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings below indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer
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