Malignant Mesothelioma and Its Nonasbestos Causes: Talcum Powder Does Not Create Occult Asbestos Exposure

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) monographs, volume 93, pointed out that little reliance can be placed on the reported concentrations of tremolite and anthophyllite and noted that Rohl et al "stated that their methodology did not distinguish between asbestos and non-asbestiform mineral fragments,"7 making the results of Rohl et al3 questionable and Finkelstein's citation unreliable. Finkelstein wrongly claimed that Anderson et al6 found anthophyllite fibers in the same brand of talcum powder as Gordon et al.5 Anderson et al6 wrote, "TEM [transmission electron microscopy] analysis [of cosmetic talcum powder] for asbestos resulted in no confirmed asbestos fibers and only a single fiber classified as 'ambiguous."' Anderson et al6 added, "We note that these results contrast with those reported recently by Gordon et al.5 for user simulations of unidentified commercial talcum powders." Finkelstein cited analyses performed by Victor L. Roggli, MD, of Duke University Medical Center but offered no citation of any peer-reviewed publications authored by Dr Roggli to validate claims that asbestos contaminates cosmetic talcum powder.