Talc (containing no asbestos)

Synonyms

Hydrous magnesium silicate; Steatite talc; [NIOSH]

Category

Other Mineral Dusts

Description

Odorless, white powder; Containing no asbestos and less than 1% quartz; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a paint additive and rubber lubricant; [Levy, p. 422] Crystalline silica not bound to other minerals is "free" silica. Silicates are minerals in which silicon and oxygen are combined with other elements. [Rom, p. 364]

Comments

Interstitial fibrosis can develop in workers heavily exposed to talc, but it is not yet clear how much is due to talc versus talc contaminants. [Harber, p. 349] "We confirmed the lack of association between exposure to asbestos-free talc, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Increased mortality from pneumoconiosis among miners is attributable to past exposure to silica." [PMID 28691999]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

2 mg/m3, respirable fraction (particulate matter containing no asbestos and < 1% crystalline silica)

20 mppcf, containing < 1% quartz

1000 mg/m3

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Basis for revised IDLH: The available toxicological data contain no evidence that an acute exposure to a high concentration of talc would impede escape or cause any irreversible health effects within 30 minutes. However, the revised IDLH for talc is 1,000 mg/m3 based on being 500 times the NIOSH REL of 2 mg/m3 (500 is an assigned protection factor for respirators and was used arbitrarily during the Standards Completion Program for deciding when the "most protective" respirators should be used for particulates).

Reference Link #2

Yes

Not classifiable

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumoconioses, other

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Mining
• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Lithography printing