Other safety alerts
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| Canada: Talc: Health risks associated with inhalation and exposure to the female genital area |
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Health Canada announces that Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada have conducted a joint screening assessment of talc under the Chemicals Management Plan. The final screening assessment, based on the latest scientific evidence, concludes that certain uses of talc may be harmful to human health. Specifically, talc may be harmful to lungs when inhaling certain loose talc powder products, and it is associated with ovarian cancer when using certain self-care products containing talc in the female genital area.
The affected products include certain self-care products (cosmetics, natural health products, and non-prescription drugs) containing talc as an ingredient in the form of loose powders (e.g., body powder, baby powder or loose face powder) and certain self-care products used in the female genital area (e.g., body powder, baby powder, diaper and rash creams, genital antiperspirants and deodorants, body wipes, bath bombs or bubble bath).
The final screening assessment report, published under the Chemicals Management Plan, and which was jointly conducted by Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, concludes that inhaling loose talc powders and using certain self-care products containing talc in the female genital area may be harmful to human health. Canadians concerned about their exposure to talc can check the ingredient list on product labels and avoid using loose talc powders that may be inhaled and certain self-care products containing talc in the female genital area. Canadians concerned about current or previous use of products containing talc should also consult their healthcare professional.
Healthcare professionals may wish to talk with patients about:
- inhaling loose talc powders;
- using certain self-care products containing talc in the female genital area; and
- checking the ingredient list on product labels for talc and choosing a talc-free alternative if concerned.
Please refer to the following website in Health Canada for details:
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/../75453a-eng.php
In Hong Kong, there is no registered pharmaceutical product containing talc as active ingredient.
Ends/Friday, Apr 23, 2021
Issued at HKT 15:00
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