Rabat – The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms by classifying talc as “probably carcinogenic” and acrylonitrile as “carcinogenic” to humans, citing possible health risks associated with these widely used substances.
WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on Friday declared talc, a mineral commonly found in baby powder and cosmetics, as potentially cancer-causing. The decision was based on studies suggesting a heightened risk of ovarian cancer among women who apply talc to their genitals.
The classification was also based on “sufficient evidence for cancer in experimental animals, and strong mechanistic evidence that talc exhibits key characteristics of carcinogens in human primary cells and experimental systems,” IARC said.
Despite the association, the agency cautioned that conclusive evidence proving talc’s carcinogenicity is complicated by possible asbestos contamination in some products.
At the same time, the IARC elevated acrylonitrile to its highest warning level, linking the chemical compound to lung cancer. Acrylonitrile, integral in the production of plastics, textiles, and other consumer goods, has shown sufficient evidence of its carcinogenic properties through extensive research.
These classifications arrive amid ongoing legal battles and public scrutiny, particularly targeting Johnson & Johnson, which withdrew talc-based products from the North American market in 2020. The multinational corporation, without admitting liability, recently agreed to a $700 million settlement over allegations of misleading consumers about the safety of its talcum-based powders.
Kevin McConway, a statistician at the UK’s Open University, commented on the WHO’s evaluation of talc, saying that “the most obvious interpretation is actually misleading.” He cautioned against interpreting the classification as definitive proof that talc causes cancer, France 24 reported.
McConway emphasized that while the IARC’s assessment suggests talc could potentially cause cancer under certain conditions, the studies used were observational and cannot establish direct causation. He noted that the evidence provided by the IARC does not conclusively prove a causal link between talc use and increased cancer risk.
