Document VGL0JKrpZ52qBQvG06ydn7NZZ

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY 909 River Road Piscataway, N.J. 08854 March 15, 1976 Norman F. Estrin, Ph.D. Vice President The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Inc. 1133-15th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005 Dear Dr. Estrin: Attached please find a summary of Analytical Data on 42 Talc Samples (representing 20 raw materials and 17 finished products) covering the period 1971 to present and examined by various tech niques by the Colgate-Palmolive Research and Development Analytical Department and McCrone Associates. Asbestos minerals were not detected in any of these samples, with the exception of insignificant trace amounts found by micro scopic methods in three samples from 1971-1972, which is believed due to laboratory contamination. Other methodologies indicate the absence of any asbestos. The results of these analyses indicate to us that talc products produced by the Colgate-Palmolive Company since 1972 are free of asbestos minerals when subjected to the most sophisticated methodology available. We have ascertained by inspection of the package and analyses of the product that the sample of Colgate-Palmolive's Cashmere Bouquet examined by Dr. Langer of M t . Sinai Hospital was manufactured prior to 1970. The Bauer and Black Talc reported by Dr. Langer has not been manufactured since the end of World War II. This company was acquired by Colgate-Palmolive approximately three years ago. Very truly yours, CHC:mp Attachments Christopher H. 'Costello, Ph.D. Administrator Regulatory Affairs March 12, 1976 To: Dr. C. H. Costello From: J. P. Simko, Jr. Subj e c t : Analytical Data on Talc Samples 1972-Present Since late 1972 when the possibility of asbestos in talc was first raised, RD Analytical has been engaged in re-analyzing U.S. talc raw material and finished products for asbestos minerals by the most sophisticated methodology available at that time. Analyses were made on a spot-check basis'. Techniques used inhouse are x-ray diffraction followed by optical and scanning electron microscopy, if necessary. X-ray is the basic screening tool and examination by microscopy is made when positive responses occur. Additional tests on random samples were made by trans mission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction by an outside consulting firm. Forty-two samples (from 20 raw materials and from 17 finished products), covering the period 1971 to the present, have been examined by these various techniques. Asbestos minerals were not detected in any of these with the exception of trace amounts in 3 samples from 1971-2. These levels are considered generally below the normal background levels encountered when this microscopic methodology is employed. It is believed that these trace amounts are due to laboratory c o n t a m i n a t i o n . A detailed tabulation is attached. JPS/ed Att. No. of Samples Examined for Asbestos Minerals 1972-76 Method TEM-SAED Sample dates (yrs.) Rav Talc *5 1971-72 Cashmere Bouauet -- , . ----------- .... ............... ..........-r--------------*-**7 1972-76 X-ray plus microscopy (optical - SEM) Sample dates (yrs.) DTA Sample dates (yrs.) 12 1971-76 6 1972 11 1972-76 1 1972 *1 sample 1971ray talc contained 10-100 ppm. chrysotile *1 sample 19 71 raw talc contained 1-10 ppm. chrysotile These levels re- present possible background con- tamination **1 sample 1972 Cashmere Bouquet talc contained <5 ppm. chrysotilh No amphibole detected in any of these. JPS/ed 3- 12-76 I