Abstract
Talc is used in cosmetic products to confer desirable properties, such as moisture absorption and smooth texture, to the finished products. Concerns have been raised about the potential presence of asbestos in products containing cosmetic talc. Reconstruction of potential asbestos exposure from the use of cosmetic talc products (assuming a trace level of asbestos) requires consideration of consumer use patterns. Although application generally only lasts seconds, exposure theoretically may continue if the consumer remains in the immediate vicinity. Most published exposure measurements have not adequately characterized the potential for continued exposure. In this analysis, estimates and measurements of airborne asbestos fiber concentrations associated with cosmetic talc use from 10 published studies were used as inputs to an exponential decay model to estimate “worst-case” exposure during and following application. The resulting geometric mean 30-min time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations were 0.006 f/cc for both puff and shaker application, for diapering, 0.0001 f/cc (adult applying baby powder) and 0.0002 f/cc (infant), and for makeup application, 0.0005 f/cc. Application of an exponential decay model to measured or estimated asbestos concentrations associated with the use of cosmetic talc products yields a conservative means to comprehensively reconstruct such exposures. Moreover, our results support that, if a cosmetic talc powder product contained a trace level of asbestos fibers, the “worst-case” airborne asbestos exposure associated with its application is low.
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Data availability
The model and exposure data cited within this analysis are publicly available. The data resulting from the analysis are presented in full within the manuscript.
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E. W. Miller and J. S. Pierce contributed to the study conception. Analysis was performed by E. W. Miller. Figures and tables were prepared by E. W. Miller, B. Roberts, E. M. Beckett, and D. Cheatham. Statistical analyses were performed by B. Roberts and E. W. Miller. All authors (E. W. Miller, E. M. Beckett, D. Cheatham, A. Abelmann, & J. S. Pierce) contributed to the preparation of the manuscript and approved the final draft.
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All of the authors are employed by Benchmark Risk Group LLC, a consulting firm that provides scientific advice to the government, corporations, law firms, and various scientific/professional organizations. Benchmark Risk Group LLC has been engaged by companies involved in asbestos and talc litigation, and four of the authors (EM, EB, AA, JP) have served and may serve again as experts in future cases. However, the time invested by the authors to write this paper was provided by their employer, and no client of Benchmark Risk Group LLC, or defendant in litigation requested that this work be performed. No external funding was received for the analysis, the research supporting the analysis, nor the time needed to prepare the article. Furthermore, the work product, including but not limited to the study design, results and conclusions drawn, is exclusively those of the authors, and no party to asbestos or talc litigation reviewed this paper prior to its publication.
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Miller, E.W., Beckett, E.M., Roberts, B. et al. Assessment of worst-case potential airborne asbestos exposure associated with the use of cosmetic talc: application of an exponential decay model. Environ Monit Assess 196, 39 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-12091-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-12091-y