Document ga1rqJqJaNkYoq832GM0qdK9G

FILE NAME: Talc (TALC) DATE: 1971 Nov 5 DOC#: TALC111 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter to the FDA from Baltimore Health Dept R O B E R T E. F R B E R . M .D.. M.P.H. COMMISSIONER JO H N B. DE HOFF. M.D.. M.P.H. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER LEARN TO DO YOUR PART IN THE PREVENTION OF DISEASE Ba ltim o r e C ity H ea lth d e p a r tm e n t 5 November 1971 AMERICAN BUU-DING BALTIMORE AND SOUTH STREETS BALTIMORE. MARYLAND 21202 TEL. AREA CODE 301 752-2000 Food & Drug Administration Department of Health, Education & Welfare 600 Fisher's Lane Rockville, Maryland 20852 Gentlemen: I enclose copies of correspondence relative to an article in SCIENCE magazine for 17 September 1971 by R. R. Merliss, M . D . , which suggested a possible relationship between talc coated rice sold to Japanese and the incidence of gastric carcinoma in Japanese natives. You will note that I suggested that the presence of asbestos-form fibers in the talc which coated rice may represent a hazard if present in various body powders utilizing talc as a base. Dr. Merliss further notes that talc has been used as a filler in some medicinal tablets intended for oral useage. May I ask that the Food & Drug Administration investigate the possibility of dangerous levels of asbestos existing in the various formulations of talc used in body powders, or medicinal tablets. Sincerely yours JBD :mfr Encs.