{"id":196,"date":"2016-02-29T08:13:06","date_gmt":"2016-02-29T14:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nano-blog.com\/?p=196"},"modified":"2022-09-02T13:17:31","modified_gmt":"2022-09-02T18:17:31","slug":"more-nano-scare-tactics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.nano-blog.com\/?p=196","title":{"rendered":"More \u201cNano\u201d Scare Tactics"},"content":{"rendered":"

This past week has seen a number of headlines about the Johnson & Johnson been awarded a jury verdict requiring them to pay $73 million to the family of a woman who died of cancer, which was claimed to be caused by the material in the Johnson & Johnson talc based Baby Powder. [Ref. 1]\u00a0 The jury found Johnson & Johnson liable for fraud, negligence, and conspiracy according to the family\u2019s lawyers.\u00a0 The case has created concerns regarding the safety of using talcum powder.\u00a0 Both Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products are made of talc, which are mineral rocks that contain magnesium, silicon, and oxygen, while some forms can contain asbestos. [Ref. 2]\u00a0 Everyone knows asbestos is a potential carcinogen.\u00a0 As pointed out in an article [Ref. 3], both talc and asbestos are categorized as silicates, containing both silicon and oxygen.\u00a0 To further complicate the situation, the pictures of talc [Figure 1] and talc with asbestos [Figure 2 with the long cylindrical shaped material on the talc flakes] are available. [Ref. 4 & 5].\u00a0 So, talc with asbestos has the potential to be an issue.\u00a0 However, asbestos has been removed from any talc product since the 1970s.<\/p>\n

\"Figure1-160229\"<\/a>\"Figure2-160229\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Figure 1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Figure 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

So where does this lead to?\u00a0 First, the Cancer.org site [Ref. 6] states that talc as a powder absorbs moisture and cuts down on friction making useful to help prevent rashes.\u00a0 The site indicates that there is a need to differentiate between talc that contains asbestos and talc that is asbestos-free. There are conclusions from studies that indicate that asbestos-free talc is classified as \u201cnot classifiable as to carcinogenic to humans.\u201d<\/p>\n

The final resolution of this and other similar cases will take years to play out.\u00a0 There will be a number of articles and news reports indicating the \u201cproblems\u201d with talc.\u00a0 At the same time, additional screening studies will be developed, conducted, and the outcomes evaluated.<\/p>\n

The point of this blog is that we live in a world where sensational headlines make the news.\u00a0 The fact that talc has a mineral composition that also occurs in asbestos provides a topic for reporting that talc is the same, which it is not.\u00a0 The availability of pictures showing the asbestos with talc powder implies that the powder is dangerous.\u00a0 There was even a report that indicated talc has shapes like asbestos.\u00a0 Obviously, some looked at a picture of talc with asbestos and thought it was all talc.\u00a0 Instant self-publishing becomes an issue when a person sees something and makes an incorrect association which is then published.<\/p>\n

The caution that the article on the talc verdict brings is twofold.\u00a0 First, the jury award is not final, and even if it is settled without any contesting, there was no proof that the talc was responsible for the woman\u2019s death from cancer.\u00a0 There are a number of explanations in the references below that indicate there might<\/span> be a link, the probability is very low.\u00a0 Second, the rapid reporting of an announcement like this will stay on the web regardless of the final outcome.\u00a0 This fact implies that as more and more articles, blogs, etc., are developed, it will be harder and harder to find out accurate information.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

References:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. http:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-johnson-johnson-verdict-idUSKCN0VW20A<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/life-style\/health-and-families\/health-news\/does-talcum-powder-cause-cancer-johnson-johnson-baby-powder-shower-to-shower-a6894926.html<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. http:\/\/www.thedailybeast.com\/articles\/2016\/02\/24\/can-baby-powder-really-cause-cancer.html<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. http:\/\/www.nanoshel.com\/product\/talc-nanoparticles\/<\/strong><\/a> talc nanopowder<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  5. http:\/\/usgsprobe.cr.usgs.gov\/picts2.html<\/strong><\/a> Anthophyllite asbestos altering to talc, upstate NY<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  6. http:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancercauses\/othercarcinogens\/athome\/talcum-powder-and-cancer<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  7. http:\/\/www.safetyandcarecommitment.com\/ingredient-info\/other\/talc?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=J%26J+-+Talc+Powder&utm_term=talcum%20powder%20cancer&utm_content=J%26J+Talc+Safety+-+E|mkwid|s9MN8PMFz_dc|pcrid|85363851134<\/strong><\/a> Johnson & Johnson\u2019s statement on their talc products.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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