Document ByOjKQZa4e17OdkMvwVGjwoLj

FILE NAME Talc TALC DATE 1972 Apr 6 DOC TALC061 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Letter to Barry Castleman from the FDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND WELFARE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON D.C. 20204 April 6 1972 Mr. Barry I. Castleman Division of Air Pollution and Industrial Hygiene Bureau of Environmental Services Baltimore County Department of Health Maryland Avenue and Hillen Road Towson Maryland 21204 Dear Mr. Castleman Your inquiry of March 22 1972 been referred to me for reply to Dr. John Palmer concerning asbestos has chemical y The Food and Drug Administration is aware of the asbestos problem and we have been studying it intensively for the past year There is some difficulty in identifying asbestos in talcdirseinccteed thteoyta hr eedecvheelmoipcmaelnlty of the same and much of our effort has been methods for the analysis of talcum powders for the presence of this We now have several methods which we are preparing to contaminant apply to commercially available talcs We do not anticipate that the of talc will be any- air levels of asbestos fibers incident to the use where near the tolerance level established for industrial exposure see attached FR statement of January 12th but are planning research to determine this point A proposal has been published except in those circumstances fireproofing A copy of this to ban asbestos coats and other garments where asbestos clothing is necessary for proposal is also enclosed February 18th materials as such do not come directly within the purview of Building other agency is prepared to the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act If no deal with this problem it is possible that the Hazardous Substances could be stretched to cover it however we would require advice Act action in this area from our General Counsel before attempting any 2 In addition to the above problems we are are also of asbestos fibers in liquid and significance investigating the incidence drugs and beverages I hope this is the information you desire Sincerely yours John Yourdy John M. Assistant Director for Medical \Division of Colors & Cosmetics Office of Product Technology Review Technology Enclosures