Document bBQR9M4KjRE5Rq80zoVz66EJ0

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY 909 River Road Piscataway, N.J. 08854 Norman F. Estrin, Ph.D. Vice President The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Inc. 1133-15th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005 March 15, 1976 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 Mt. Sinai Hospital was manufactured prior to 1970. The Bauer and Black Talc reported by D r . 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 Christopher H. 'Costello, Ph.D. Administrator Regulatory Affairs March 12, 1976 To: Dr. C. H. C o s t e l l o From: J . P. Simko, Jr. Subject: 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 s o p histicated m e t h o d o l o g y a v a ilable at that time. Analyses were made on a spot-check basis. Techniques used i n house are x-ray diffraction followed by optical and scanning e l e c t r o n microscopy, if necessary. X - r a y is the basic sc r e e n i n g tool and examination by m i c r o s c o p y is m a d e when p o s i t i v e responses occur. Additional tests on random samples were made by trans mission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction by an outside consulting firm. F o r t y - t w o samples (from 20 raw m a t e r i a l s and from 17 finished products), covering the period 1971 to the present, have been examined by these various techniques. Asbestos minerals were not d e t e c t e d in any of these w ith the e x c e p t i o n of trace amounts in 3 samples from 1971-2. These levels are considered generally below the normal background levels encountered when this microscopic m e t h o d o l o g y is employed. It is b e l i e v e d that these trace amounts are due to l a b o ratory c ontamination. A detailed tabulation is attached. (b) (5) g^_tSgmB^ _ E ^ n e d for Asbestos Minerals 1972-76 Method t e m -s a e d Sample dates (yrs.) X--ray plus microscopy (optical - SEM) Sanale dates (yrs.) DTA Sample dates (yrs-. ) Raw Talc *5 1971-72 12 1971-76 6 1972 Cashmere Bououet **7 I972-76 11 1972-76 1 1972 *1 sample 19 71 raw 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, chrysotilfe No amphibole detected in any of these. (b) (5) * I.