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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 | 803 products |
| foundation | 515 products |
| facial powder | 278 products |
| bronzer/highlighter | 263 products |
| blush | 219 products |
| lipstick | 216 products |
| concealer | 121 products |
| eye liner | 111 products |
| brow liner | 101 products |
| makeup primer | 60 products |
| antiperspirant/deodorant | 50 products |
| mascara | 40 products |
| antiperspirant/deodorant (men's) | 27 products |
| mask | 21 products |
| moisturizer with SPF | 18 products |
| BB cream | 17 products |
| lip liner | 16 products |
| lip balm | 15 products |
| CC cream | 11 products |
| facial cleanser | 8 products |
| glitter | 8 products |
| hair color and bleaching | 7 products |
| diaper cream | 7 products |
| lip gloss | 6 products |
| exfoliant/scrub | 6 products |
| serums & essences | 6 products |
| bar soap | 5 products |
| facial moisturizer/treatment | 5 products |
| beach & sport sunscreen | 5 products |
| baby powder | 3 products |
| nail polish | 3 products |
| other eye makeup | 3 products |
| shampoo | 3 products |
| around-eye cream | 3 products |
| hair styling aide | 3 products |
| nail treatment | 2 products |
| fragrance for women | 2 products |
| anti-aging | 2 products |
| 2 products | |
| oil controller | 1 products |
| depilatory | 1 products |
| bath oil/salts/soak | 1 products |
| eyelash glue | 1 products |
| body powder | 1 products |
| foot odor control | 1 products |
| makeup with SPF | 1 products |
| makeup remover | 1 products |
| body wash/cleanser | 1 products |
| liquid hand soap | 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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