What does asbestos have to do with talc?

Many people know that a mineral called talc is found in many common household and cosmetic products. Talc is thought to be safe as long as it’s in its purest form, meaning not contaminated with any other potential toxins, and many companies maintain that any talc that goes into their products is completely safe.

However, a recent report noted that many products imported into the U.S. and even some manufactured right here in this country are contaminated with toxic fibers: asbestos. This unsettling news has many people wondering how and why asbestos is getting into talc and what can be done to avoid the potentially dangerous products that contain contaminated talc products.

According to a recent report on Salon.com, asbestos and talc are both minerals that are found in the ground and in mines. When people dig up talc, they can also dig up asbestiform minerals if they aren’t careful. And although there are many companies that claim they will not mine areas where asbestos may be, the fact is that some companies simply don’t look hard enough and end up using contaminated talc in their products.

Additionally, it should be noted that the U.S. imports huge amounts of talc from other countries. In the U.S., there are tests and procedures to identify talc contaminated with asbestos, but the same cannot always be said for other countries.

The best way to avoid potentially harmful asbestos in talc-containing products is to avoid using these products altogether. Unfortunately, it may be impossible or too late for many people to do that.

If you think you have been exposed to asbestos through talc products or were recently diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness that could be linked to a harmful product, your best option may be to take legal action and file a claim against a negligent party linked to the dangerous product. It will not undo the damage that has been done, but a lawsuit can allow you to seek compensation you may greatly need and deserve.