Is baby powder really safe to use?

[Kait1223]

Hi everyone! I’m curious about the safety of baby powder, especially the talc-based ones. Recently I’ve heard quite a bit of conflicting information about whether it can cause cancer. I’d love to hear your experiences and any advice you might have. I use it nearly every night for my 4-month-old, and now this has given me a bit of a fright — but I’m sure it’s nothing!

What source tells you baby powder causes cancer??!!

I can barely bring myself to dignify the question but if I have to…. It’s safe OP

I don’t believe they contain talc anymore. Any powder when used can get into the lungs and irritate them though, so it’s best to avoid.

BBC News report last night. Class action of 3,000 plus people in UK against Johnson and Johnson, claiming their cancers were caused by talc use over many years. Documents going back to the 1960s suggested some evidence of asbestos fibres being found in talc, the two compounds often occur in close proximity in quarries.

The case is ongoing.

I’ve just seen a few articles mentioning possible links, so I wanted to check if there’s any truth to it. I know things online can be exaggerated, but it made me wonder since I use it often. Just wanted to be sure it’s safe!

If you have iplayer, there was a report on BBC News at Ten last night.

I’ll definitely check this out!

But what’s the source op? You shouldn’t just read what’s on the net without reading the source of the medical view

How does anyone prove they have used the talc and it's that has caused cancer.
I had breast cancer and no one could say why I got it. I don't have any family history of any cancer.
I never smoked or drank alcohol.

As a PP said, as I understood the report, the claims are historic and the formulation was changed many years ago so that Talcum Powder no longer in fact contains talc.
As PP also said, anything that can be breathed in to young lungs is probably best avoided. There are now cream “talcs” available.

Presumably expert witnesses in the ongoing legal case. Internal J&J documents from the 1960s/70s do suggest that asbestos fibres were found in the product, which obviously isn’t ideal.
How any link is proven, no idea.

Yeah, that’s fair — I didn’t look too deeply into the sources yet, I just saw a few posts mentioning it and wanted to double-check with others before worrying too much. I’ll definitely look for proper medical info too, though!

Ah that’s really helpful, thank you! I didn’t realise the formulation had changed. I’ll look into the cream versions too — sounds like a safer option!

It's made with maize flour (IE sweet corn...) these days and has been for a while now. Same whether it's Boots or Johnsons www.boots.com/boots-baby-powder-500g-10278321

Personally, I wouldn’t

I’ve always avoided it with DC (10 and 8) and stopped using it when much younger (1990’s) due to a Consultant family friend explaining the correlation between talc and ovarian cancer

It’s probably perfectly safe now, but I just have no reason to use it

The news articles are very clear that the issues is from baby powder contaminated with asbestos.

This is just starting in the UK, it’s been ongoing in the US for years

Seems it’s this generation’s version of action against the tobacco industry

The thing that I can't understand, is that back in the day we literally used gallons of the stuff. Swimming pool changing rooms and bathrooms were white, clouds of it everywhere. We all had it used on us as babies, and as adults it was the go to drier for all your nooks and crannys. And yet, very few people have developed cancer from those billions of users.

Cancer rates are very high? Quite possible some were caused by talc years ago.

There isn't any need to use it - never used it on my babies and they've had no adverse effects - so why risk it. As PP says, even without the class action, it's not ideal to be breathing in particles for anyone, including babies.

I had ovarian cysts in my 20s and and surgeon and consultant told me not to use talcum powder to dry myself. I'm mid 50s now so they've known about the link for years. I imagine they know as the cysts /cancers are biopsied and contain talc?

Now it is because they removed talc & swapped it for corn starch

I would definitely avoid it as any dust etc if inhaled can be harmful. I have never understood the purpose of it !

FDA report -
https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/talc

‘Talc is an ingredient used in many cosmetic products, from baby powder to blush. From time to time, FDA has received questions about its safety and whether talc contains harmful contaminants, such as asbestos.

Published scientific literature going back to the 1960s has suggested a possible association between the use of powders containing talc in the genital area and the incidence of ovarian cancer. However, these studies have not conclusively demonstrated such a link, or if such a link existed, what risk factors might be involved. More research is needed to confirm if there is a link or not. In addition, questions about the potential contamination of talc with asbestos have been raised since the 1970s.’

I have no qualms about using it daily.

as Per pps, previously baby powder contained talc and there is evidence to show it may have contained asbestos as well. And it may well have been risky to use it. The story is detailed here on this podcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m000l7q1?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

But @Kait1223 baby powder is now (normally) made of corn flour (like you use to cook with) which I’m pretty sure has no safety concerns.

Regardless of safety, it is unnecessary to use.