Following thousands of diagnoses of malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer blamed on exposure to talc in cosmetic products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has offered a new proposed rule aimed at protecting consumers from potential exposure to asbestos hidden in those products.
FDA Talc Rule Demands Testing for Asbestos Following Mesothelioma Diagnoses
In recent years, consumer products companies that sell talc products, talc mining and processing companies, and distributors along the supply line have all been named as defendants in personal injury claims filed by those diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. Many defendants have offered evidence of safety testing, but a lack of regulation of that testing leaves room for much doubt. The new rules would address that deficiency.
With an eye to preventing future diagnoses of mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, the FDA has proposed regulations surrounding testing, record keeping, and enforcement, as well as many definitions of terms that have previously been a source of concern, including “representative sample” and “asbestos.”
New Requirements for Talc Testing Would Address Previous Lapses Connected to Asbestos-Related Diseases
Among the new rules that the FDA has proposed are requirements for testing that apply to all manufacturers of talc-containing cosmetics using Polarized Light Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy/Selected Area Electron Diffraction. These must be done on a defined representative sample of each batch or lot of each talc-containing cosmetic or talc ingredient for asbestos.
The manufacturers would be required to keep records of this testing, and those who rely on certificates of analysis from talc suppliers must include that, verifying the results of the supplier’s tests. Importantly, the proposed rule provides that any cosmetic and/or talc that fails to test or maintain testing results for the presence, or in whose product asbestos is found, as adulterated.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease and you believe your illness is associated with asbestos-containing talc, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
