Health

FDA Holds Public Meeting About Testing For Asbestos In Talc Products

Experts say criteria for testing talc products for asbestos and other potentially harmful particles needs to be more standardized.

FDA Holds Public Meeting About Testing For Asbestos In Talc Products
AP / Matt Rourke
SMS

The FDA held a public meeting Tuesday about improving testing methods for asbestos in talc. 

Experts say criteria for testing talc products for asbestos and other potentially harmful particles needs to be more standardized. 

Asbestos is a carcinogen that can cause mesothelioma. It has been found in several consumer talc powders, like cosmetics and baby powder. 

Last month, a panel of experts put together by the FDA endorsed establishing testing standards for asbestos in talc products. That panel concluded that mineral particles in talc products, whether or not they contain asbestos, can be harmful to breathe in.

In October, asbestos was detected in the popular Johnson & Johnson brand baby powder. The company is facing thousands of lawsuits from people who allege its talc products gave them cancer. The company has maintained that its products are safe, alleging the asbestos detected was from an air conditioner in the FDA's lab.