Document YGkaL8K7yVoJO7XZb4opyqQLV

FILE NAME: Talc (TALC) DATE: 1972 Mar 22 DOC#: TALC060 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter to FDA from Barry Castleman Questioning What the FDA is Doing to Research the Carcinogenicity of Talcs March 22, 1972 food and Drug Adminia tratlon Department of '-calth, Education and Welfare 3600 Fishers Lane Hockville, "-laryland 20S52 Attention: i:r. John ?. Palmar> M.D., Deputy director Bureau of Drugs Dear Hr. Palmar; 1 a writing to find out what the FDA ts doing to research, the suspected carcinogenicity of talcs (with and without tremolite asbestos); and what measure are being tafeen to safeguard the public against exposure to asbestos containing consumer product (building materials fabrics, etc.) As you probably knew, the .National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has just published the document, 'Criteria for a Pecomsended Standard ..... Occupational 'Exposure to Asbestos." fh.& closing remark tn section P, Development of Standard, reads, 'Thus, the srffect aftex several decades of a one-time acute dose of limited duration whlc& overwhelms tne clearing mechanism, and is retained in the lungs, may be as W w f u l tcarcin ogenic]' as the cumulative effect of lower daily dose of exposure ^ e r numv years of work,' Asbestos is known to have been used its over 1h 1.i applications, including filter media for production of drugs, dma_ cigars, home bol.cr Insulation, heat-resistant clothing, paper products, sprayed fireproofing insulation, and numerous building products. "" _ Talc is alneralogically similar to asbestos, and in a survey of 5, commercial talcs is 1942, 17 were found to have greater than trace amounts of tremolite asbestos, which frequently occurs combined with talc deposits. 5cent publications have pointed out the possibility of talc causing ovarian cancer and stomach cancer (In Japan). However, m far as I know, no one nan been able to firmly establish talc as being either carcinogenic or harmlessThe most disturbing use of talc I know M is in recently-marketw ftelnloo hygiene sprays. Also, so* cosmetic powderr have strikingly uigh .toroue. content. Any information you can send about the FDA's activities on asbestos and tale will bo deeply appreciated. Sincerely your. BtcVcn* - sir. Karl Meyers Dr. Jerome Ooldstein Barry IS Haatleraan Division of Air Pollution and Industrial Hygiene Bureau of Environmental Servicon