Baby powder explained

Baby powder is an astringent powder used for preventing diaper rash and for cosmetic uses. It may be composed of talc (in which case it is also called talcum powder), corn starch or potato starch.[1] It may contain additional ingredients such as fragrances. Baby powder can also be used as a dry shampoo, cleaning agent (to remove grease stains), and air freshener.[2] [3]

Health risks

Talcum powder, if inhaled, may cause aspiration pneumonia and granuloma.[4] Severe cases may lead to chronic respiratory problems and death.[5] [6] The particles in corn starch powder are larger and less likely to be inhaled.[7]

Some studies have found a statistical relationship between talcum powder applied to the perineal area by female babies and the incidence of ovarian cancer, but there is not a consensus about causality.[8] [9] In 2016, more than 1,000 women in the United States sued Johnson & Johnson for covering up the possible cancer risk associated with its baby powder.[10] [11] In 1975, an official at the US federal Food and Drug Administration stated that "No mother was going to powder her baby with 1% of a known carcinogen irregardless [sic] of the large safety factor" as a comment on the testing methodology that J&J backed.[12] The company stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada in 2020[13] and has said it will stop all talc sales worldwide by 2023, switching to a corn starch-based formula. However, Johnson & Johnson says that its talc-based baby powder does not contain asbestos and is safe to use.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-03-09 . nb . Aldri mer sår babyhud . HOFF Potetmel.
  2. Web site: 20 Brilliant Uses for Baby Powder You've Never Considered . DIY & Crafts . 15 August 2014. 2014-07-14 .
  3. News: Peter . Richard . Talcum Powder . 25 June 2023.
  4. Book: Harper, John. Arnold Oranje. Neil Prose. Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology. Blackwell Science. 2000. 156. 978-0-86542-939-0.
  5. Pairaudeau . P. W. . Wilson . R. G. . Hall . M. A. . Milne . M. . Inhalation of baby powder: an unappreciated hazard . BMJ . 18 May 1991 . 302 . 6786 . 1200–1201 . 10.1136/bmj.302.6786.1200. 2043820 . 1669894 . free .
  6. Mofenson . H. C. . Greensher . J. . DiTomasso . A. . Okun . S. . Baby Powder—A Hazard! . Pediatrics . August 1981 . 68 . 2 . 265–6 . 10.1542/peds.68.2.265 . 7267235. 39006289 .
  7. Web site: Weil . Andrew . How Bad Is Baby Powder? . DrWeil.com . 22 May 2020 . 8 October 2012.
  8. Mohan. Melissa. Whysner. John. 2000. Perineal application of talc and cornstarch powders: Evaluation of ovarian cancer risk. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 182. 3. 720–724. 10.1067/mob.2000.104259. 10739536.
  9. Mills. Paul. Riordan. Deborah. Cress. Rosemary. Young. Heather. Perineal talc exposure and epithelial ovarian cancer risk in the Central Valley of California. International Journal of Cancer. 112. 3. 458–464. 2004. 10.1002/ijc.20434. 15382072. 2464631.
  10. Web site: Talcum Powder Lawsuit . MesoWatch .
  11. https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-baby-powder-cancer-lawsuits/ Johnson & Johnson Has a Baby Powder Problem
  12. Web site: “No mother was going to powder her baby with 1% of a known carcinogen irregardless of the large safety factor.” - An FDA official commenting in 1975 on the talc testing method J&J backed . J&J knew for decades that asbestos lurked in its Baby Powder . .
  13. News: Hsu . Tiffany . Rabin . Roni Caryn . May 19, 2020 . Johnson & Johnson to End Talc-Based Baby Powder Sales in North America . en-US . The New York Times . May 20, 2020 . 0362-4331.
  14. News: Hoskins . Peter . Johnson & Johnson to replace talc-based powder with cornstarch . 19 August 2022 . . 12 August 2022.

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