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According to the American Cancer Society, talcum power is comprised of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen; together, these elements make up the mineral talc. Talc powder is used for rash prevention because it is very effective at soaking up moisture and reducing friction. Talc contains the carcinogen asbestos when it is in its natural form. The American Cancer Society states that consumer talcum products, such as baby powder, adult body and facial powders, have been free of asbestos since the 1970s.
There is a body of research showing that perineal genital use of talc powder is linked to health risks. Using talc-based baby powders in the genital area is “possibly carcinogenic to humans”, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organization (WHO). It has been suggested that when the powder is applied to or near the genitals, such as on sanitary napkins, it can travel through the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes and to the ovary.
According to the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, studies conducted over the past 25 years have shown that talc powder is associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Last June, Cancer Prevention Research published a study that combined data from eight research papers involving nearly 2,000 women. The study found that there was a 20 percent to 30 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer in women who used talc for “intimate personal hygiene”. A 2003 analysis that pooled data from 16 studies showing that in talc users, there was a 30 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer. Since the average woman has about a 1.4 percent risk of ovarian cancer in her lifetime, a 30 percent increase equates to about 1.8 percent.
There is also recent evidence suggesting that genital talcum powder use is linked to higher risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer in post-menopausal women. A review in the Nurses’ Health Study showed that regular perineal use of talcum powder (about once a week) was associated with a 24 percent increased risk of endometrial cancer while “ever” use was linked to a 21 percent increased risk.
One particular issue with commercial use of talc is its frequent co-location in underground deposits with asbestos ore, which often leads to contamination of powdered talc products with asbestos fibres.
en.wikipedia.org...
originally posted by: wasobservingquietly
I read about this over 30 years ago, so I never used it on our kids!
That's probably why they came out with Baby Cornstarch Powder!
Don't know if that has any dangers associated with it, since it's a plant!
Unless you happen to be allergic to corn maybe!!!
WOQ