Document bB5r05DeewB03YGBr1nX7x7xO

FILE NAME: RT Vanderbilt (RTV) DATE: 1971 Sept 2 DOC#: RTV153 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter to Phillips Petroleum RE Talc Toxicity Data from Desert Minerals September 2 1971 Hr. . Merrill SchnlCzer Food, Drug and Toxicant Coordinator Phillips Petroleum Company Research and Development Department 356 Research Building 1 Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74004 * Dear Mr. Schnitrer: Subjects Talc Toxicity Data Your letter of August 23, 1971, was duly received. Please pardon the delay in answering as we are shortlmnded right now due to vacations. We have considrable data on the use of talc in products coming in contact with foods. Enclosed is a copy of our memorandum dated May 22, 1970, which lists the products in which talc may bo used as a "safe substance."-- You will note that the list shown therein does not Include talc for use in plastic products coming in contact with food. Last year we exchanged correspondence with the PDA relative to having talc declared as a safe nubstnnea In plastics. I am enclosing copie of letters dated February 6. 1970; April 16T 1970: Anril 71. J.97L and Juno 2. 1970. W have heard of no changes in claaslfications or enduse approvals since the\above mentioned dates. However, we do receive copies of all PDA bulletins and try to maintain a complete file. The general provisions of the Pood Additives Regulations requiring substances to be of n purity suitable for their intended use Is also recognized by us. However, as n raw mater ial supplier, we must rely on the user to supply ua with specifications which will cover FDA requirements. We see no reason why the use of talc in plastic products coming in contact with food should riot be accepted as a safe substance considering the fact that it i> already approved for use in rubber, paper, cotton, and paint products coming in contact with; food. Furthermore, we doinot think* there would be any migration of the talc from a plastic container into the food. More specifically answering yout three questions, replies are os follows 1. We have no specific toxicity data on any of our talcs Including DEREKTAI.cf' 56 and 0E8EKTALC 57. Talc is recognized as a nontoxic inert extender, filler. 2 Ua are undertaking a raineraloglcal study in our laboratory by advanced methods / to deer .j the presence of any; minor elements otheri than theoretically pure magnesite silicate, talc> As this work is completad we: shall be glad to reply more spacificallyi In the mearitirie, please advlseiua if possible, under what government regulations these minerals are referred to. We can find no such .references in the Pood AdditivesRegulations. 3, We do consider cur talcs suitable for two as comporiants In food' contact articles, However, w shall ba happy to endeavor to comply with any specificatiottfl :ralafiiivs to our products, but wa assume:that you will satisfy youriself with the FDA as to the acceptability of talc in your products. -- ; CRiV!( '-H r I'ALC.()0!); Hr , H#rsUl Schaitsar September3, 1911 Ke appreciate your intaraat In our calcaand the teat work that you Hava apparently dene on DESERTALC 56 and DESKRTALC 57 over the past few eonthe We vieh you success inthis project and assure you of our cooperation ' ' fl Very truly yours, it' ' 1 !j DESERT MINERALS, lac< , t I President EJEllavorthikjb ff*"' i/ccllosures cc :VWfrjr,, W. B, Grant'ham 7 SfnXff Richard 8 Lamar '' V - < V / * Q , % ron Chemical Corporation^ CRMC-HT-TALC-OOO137