Document x10zM8JBpeReGvkKXnJ2vkYyb

BACKGROUND BRIEFING PAPER for PRESS and CONSUMER RESPONSE The amount of asbestos fibers in talcum powder products, and the inhalati health hazards associated with their presence, are subjects of current interest but differing reports. At a symposium held on August 3 the Food and Drug Administration of 40 V scientists, physicians and consumers, it was generally agreed that most i talcum powders of major manufacturers are relatively free of asbestos. Nevertheless, on behalf of consumers, FDA is working on the details of a laboratory procedure for the analyses of asbestos in talcum powders which *i will give consistent meaningful results. Accurate analyses for the amount of asbestos in talcum powder will be obtainable, according to many of the participants, only through the use of a battery of specialized instruments and techniques, including X-ray diffraction, polarizing optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and electron diffraction of selected particles. In addition to extensive discussions of the analytical methods for asbes used by various laboratories, the group also considered such topics as t medical significance of asbestos and other fibers, and the mineralogy of asbestos nd talc ore deposits. Vieiss1er/Bub 1ick :1rls Augus t 4 19/1 BACKGROUND BRIEFING PAPER for PRESS and CONSUMER RESPONSE The amount: of asbestos fibers in talcum powder products, and the inhalafi health hazards associated with their presence, are subjects of current interest but differing reports. At a symposium held on August 3 the Food and Drug Administration of 40 .\ scientists, physicians and consumers, it was generally agreed that most talcum powders of major manufacturers are relatively free of asbestos. Nevertheless> on behalf of consumers, FDA is working on the details of a laboratory procedur for the analyses of asbestos in talcum powders which 'i will give consistent meaningful results. Accurate analyses for the amount of asbestos in talcum powder will be obtainable, according to many of the participants, only through the use of a battery of specialized instruments and techniques, including X-ray diffraction, polarizing optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and electron diffraction of selected particles. In addition to extensive discussions of the analytical methods for asbes used by various laboratories, the group also considered such topics as t medical significance of asbestos and other fibers, and the mineralogy of asbestos nd talc ore deposits. i Vieiss1er/Eub1ick :1ms A n g us t 7 , 1971