LAUSR

The paper reviews animal inhalation and human epidemiological studies with talc. The human studies show that talc can induce COPD and lung fibrosis in workers exposed to high levels to talcum powder. No evidence for lung cancer due to talc inhalation has been found in long-term prospective follow-up studies. Background Current information on the health effects and toxicology of talc suggests that this may lead to a specific target organ toxicity arising from repeated exposure (STOT-RE) classification. Objective To provide an assessment of the currently available inhalation toxicity data on talc and to put these data in the perspective of other poorly soluble low-toxicity particles. Methods A database of 177 articles was gathered from different sources. Results Relevant animal data sets were subjected to a quality review, and epidemiological studies on talc and lung effects published since 2016 were reviewed. Conclusions Of nine original inhalation studies reviewed, only one study using rats and mice met the criteria that are needed to include for a reliable evaluation for STOT-RE. Together with the pulmonary effects observed in exposed talc miners, a STOT-RE 1 classification is warranted.