Scientific Association of the European Talc Industry aisbl

A carcinogenesis inhalation bioassay of talc was conducted in rats and mice by the US National Toxicology Program in 1993 (NTP 1993. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Talc (CAS n° 14807-96-6) (Non-Asbestiform) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies). TR-421 Research Triangle Park, NC, National Toxicology Program).

While it was already reported in the literature that talc does not cause tumours in hamsters, this study showed that it does not cause tumours in mice either, but induces some tumours in rats, especially female rats.

The International Society of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology and the US Food and Drug Administration cosponsored a Workshop organised 31 January-1 February 1994 on "Talc: Consumer Uses and Health Perspectives". The event brought together over 20 leading experts in epidemiology, risk assessment, toxicology and clinical medicine. They deliberated on the latest studies conducted on talc and its use in consumer products.

In the Journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 21 (2) April 1995, the Executive Summary states: "In regard to the NTP talc bioassay in rodents, it (the expert panel) found that because of the extreme doses and the unrealistic particle sizes of the talc employed, because of the negative results in mice and male rats, because of the lack of tumor excess at the low doses, and because of the clear biochemical and cytological markers of excessive toxicity in female rats, the positive talc bioassay results in female F344/N rats are likely experimental artefact and non generic response of dust overload of lungs and not a reflection of a direct activity of talc"

It can therefore be concluded that the combination of very serious flaws in this study clearly rule it out as an indicator of carcinogen hazard to humans.
No additional work has been reported since which demonstrates a direct impact of talc in animals.

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