Talcum Powder (Asbestos-Contaminated Talc)
Talcum powder has been contaminated with asbestos since the 1800s. Talc and asbestos are often found together in the earth. Products affected include baby powder, body powder, cosmetics, shaving powder, and industrial talc. The WHO classified asbestos-contaminated talc as carcinogenic in 2024.
* The end date of asbestos use varies by country depending on when it was banned. See the ban year next to each country below.
Description
Talcum powder is made from talc, a soft mineral mined from deposits that frequently contain asbestos. When miners extract talc, asbestos fibres — most commonly tremolite and anthophyllite, which are more carcinogenic than chrysotile — can contaminate the finished product. Geologists have documented this co-location since at least 1872, and testing of cosmetic-grade talc since the 1960s has found asbestos levels ranging from 0% to 30%. Industrial-grade talc has historically shown contamination levels of 50% to 70%.
In 2024, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified asbestos-contaminated talc as definitely carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). Pure talc was classified as probably carcinogenic (Group 2A). Health risks include mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and talcosis (talc pneumoconiosis).
The contamination spans five major product categories:
1. Baby powder — Johnson's Baby Powder is the most widely known, but CVS, Dynacare (asbestos confirmed by FDA in 2024), Family Dollar, and Rite Aid brand baby powders also have contamination histories. Between 1948 and 2017, approximately 66% of 1,032 cosmetic talc products tested through litigation showed asbestos contamination. J&J court documents show company officials knew asbestos had been in Johnson's Baby Powder since the 1950s. The FDA found asbestos in a bottle of Johnson's Baby Powder in 2019, forcing a recall of ~33,000 bottles. J&J stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the US and Canada in 2020 and worldwide in 2023.
2. Body and dusting powders — Avon perfumed talcum powders, Cashmere Bouquet (Colgate-Palmolive), Chanel No. 5 Body Powder, Desert Flower (Whittaker, Clark & Daniels), Gold Bond, Jean Nate Silkening Body Powder (Revlon), and Shower to Shower (J&J). Testing found asbestos from the 1960s through the 1990s.
3. Shaving and barber powders — Clubman, English Leather After Shave Talc, Mennen Shave Talc, and Old Spice (Shulton/P&G). Barbers applied these products to customers' necks and faces after haircuts, creating repeated exposure for both barbers and customers.
4. Cosmetics and makeup — Foundation, eye shadow, blush, and children's makeup. In 2017-2018, retailers Claire's and Justice sold children's makeup containing tremolite asbestos. Products recalled include Claire's Rainbow Glitter Makeup Set, JoJo Siwa Makeup Set, Justice Just Shine Shimmer Powder, Beauty Glazed Eye Shadow Palette, and City Color Cosmetics Palette. In 2020, the Environmental Working Group found asbestos in 3 of 21 cosmetics tested.
5. Industrial talc — Used in ceramics, paint, plastics, rubber, paper, chalk, and joint compounds. Nytal 100, a ceramic-grade industrial talc by R.T. Vanderbilt, contained 30% talc, 40% tremolite, 20% chrysotile, and 10% anthophyllite asbestos — a contamination rate of 70%. This product caused mesothelioma in ceramic workers, potters, and tile installers.
Talcum powder lawsuits have produced landmark verdicts: $52.1 million (Avon, 2022), $18 million (Old Spice, 2016), $16.5 million (Desert Flower, 2017), $22 million (industrial talc, 2017), and $13 million (Cashmere Bouquet, 2015). J&J alone faces over 60,000 lawsuits and has spent roughly $1 billion on legal defence and $3.5 billion on plaintiff awards.
No federal law in the US requires pre-market testing of talc for asbestos. The FDA has proposed mandatory testing rules for cosmetic talc but has not finalized them. Consumers cannot detect asbestos contamination on their own — only laboratory testing can confirm whether a product contains asbestos.
Countries where commonly found
Commercial brands
How to identify
Consumers cannot visually detect asbestos in talcum powder — only laboratory testing (transmission electron microscopy) can confirm contamination. Polarized light microscopy, used by the FDA in some testing, is less sensitive and may miss trace levels. Suspect any talc-based product that does not explicitly state "cornstarch-based" or "talc-free" on the label. Product categories to check: baby powder, body powder, foot powder, after-shave powder, barber powder, loose face powder, eye shadow, blush, foundation, and children's makeup kits. Industrial talc products include ceramic glazes, joint compounds, and moulding powders. If a product lists "talc" or "talcum" in its ingredients and was manufactured before 2020, treat it with caution.
Health risk & friability
This material has a risk level of 4 out of 5.
It is classified as friable, meaning asbestos fibers can be released into the air with minimal disturbance. This makes it one of the more dangerous asbestos-containing materials. Any work on or near this material should only be carried out by licensed professionals with appropriate containment measures.
What to do if you find this material
Stop using any talc-based powder product and switch to cornstarch-based or talc-free alternatives. Do not shake or pour talcum powder in enclosed spaces, as this creates airborne dust that can be inhaled. If you have a history of long-term talcum powder use (baby powder, body powder, shaving powder), inform your doctor — especially if you develop respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Symptoms of asbestos-related disease can take 20 to 60 years to appear. Parents should never use talcum powder on babies, as inhalation of even uncontaminated talc can cause fatal aspiration. Dispose of old talc products by sealing them in a plastic bag and placing in household waste — do not open or pour out the powder. If you have used talc-based cosmetics or body products for many years and develop ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, or other cancer, consult both your doctor and a legal professional, as you may be entitled to compensation.
Frequently asked questions
Why does talcum powder contain asbestos?
Is talcum powder banned?
What diseases can asbestos-contaminated talc cause?
Which baby powder brands contained asbestos?
What about cosmetics and makeup with talc?
How can I tell if my talcum powder contains asbestos?
Related materials
Other asbestos-containing materials you might encounter.
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