If you think back to your high school chemistry class, you likely remember memorizing various combinations of elements, chemicals or minerals during your studies. For instance, if someone asks you what you get when you mix magnesium, oxygen and silicon together, you might say, “talc.” Talc is an element commonly used to make products, such as powder. Manufacturers have used talc-based products for decades; in fact, many parents in Texas use such products on their babies’ skin too keep them soft and dry.
You might have heard that using talcum powder can increase your risk for certain types of disease. Since this is such a staple household product throughout the nation, it’s logical to assume that such statements would be alarming to many consumers. Preventing injury and/or illness from defective or inadequately labeled products is typically easiest when those who use them arm themselves ahead of time with as much information as possible.
Potential dangers of talc-based products
As you go through your personal daily hygiene routine, or change diapers and bathe your child, it’s highly doubtful your foremost thought is going to be whether the powder you use is dangerous to your family’s health. Still, keeping in mind the following list of possible risks that some studies associate with talcum powder may be useful:
- Some forms of talc contain asbestos, which is a known carcinogen. Companies in the United States no longer sell household talc products with this ingredient. For talc miners, or anyone using talc with asbestos in it, the risk is that someone may ingest tiny particles into their lungs.
- Many are also concerned that women using talcum powder in the genital area raise their risk for getting ovarian cancer should powder particles from sanitary pads or birth control products travel to through a woman’s body to her ovaries.
- The fact that researchers have not extensively studied a possible link between talc products and various types of cancer is, to some, a cause for concern in and of itself.
- The International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that the use of talcum powder in the genital area is possibly carcinogenic to humans.
You’re probably like many other people in Texas who wonder how products make it to their store shelves if they’re considered dangerous to use. There are many possible reasons for this. Sometimes, laws allow a manufacturer to make products available for sale that are dangerous to human health as long as there are adequate warning labels on the products, so every potential user can make an informed choice. Those who knowingly place harmful products into the hands of consumers may be held legally accountable for any injury or illness such products cause.
Let’s say you use the same purchased item (whether talc-based or not) for years, then develop an adverse health condition you believe is directly related to the product. What should you do? The first step anyone suffering ill-health typically takes is to seek appropriate medical attention. Beyond that, however, many people choose to file product liability claims against any and all parties deemed responsible for their injuries. A personal injury lawyer can explain the process and aggressively litigate a pertinent issue on your behalf.