# Am I risking death every morning? Talcum Powder **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 14, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758 "2004-11-14T20:44:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kel_Varnsen_Latex_Division)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/1 "2004-11-14T20:44:02Z")
It seems that talcum powder can cause some serious problems. Most morning I put some talcum powder on my hands, slap my hands together, and put some talcum powder on face. This creates a small cloud of talcum powder some of which I am sure I inhale. Am I risking my life my doing this? If so, what is the level of danger? Should I stop doing this? If talcum powder is dangerous to be on the skin, why do they sell it? What other uses would it have other than putting it on the skin? > [@](#): > > For any inhalation, seek emergency medical care immediately. Inhalation of talcum powder can be very serious. If on the skin, remove it by washing the area. Call Poison Control for guidance. > **[Talcum powder poisoning: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002719.htm)** > > Talcum powder is a powder made from a mineral called talc. Talcum powder poisoning may occur when someone breathes in or swallows talcum powder. This can be by accident or on purpose. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/2 "2004-11-14T20:51:25Z")
- - - The page linked probably concerns possible allergies, not so much typical external use. As for _sniffing_ talcum powder, you may have the field in that line of research. …Note that it is wise to buy your talc from extablished reputable companies, as **[asbestos](http://search.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/query?DISAMBIGUATION=true&FUNCTION=search&SERVER2=server2&SERVER1=server1&PARAMETER=asbestos&x=0&y=0)** naturally occurs in the same mineral compounts that talcum powder is drawn from: [http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=asbestos+talc+mining&btnG=Google+Search](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=asbestos+talc+mining&btnG=Google+Search) Talc intended for cosmetic usage has to be tested regularly as it is mined. ~ ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/3 "2004-11-15T00:45:57Z")
During a Haz-Mat course I took, the instructor pulled a can of ‘Johnsons Baby Powder’ out of his bag, and passed it around the room. Unlike todays version, it was a metal can, the same shape as the plastic one that we are familiar with today. The can was dated 1944, and the key ingredient on the can was asbestos. In big letters. Who knew. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![dqa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dqa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dqa)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/4 "2004-11-15T00:58:31Z")
I have a big industrial bucket of magnesium silicate that I bought because I hate the baby powder scent. How can I tell if there are asbestos contaminants included (no indication on the label that this is the case). ---
**Author:** ![chickendoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@chickendoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chickendoc)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/5 "2004-11-15T01:20:51Z")
I’ve been reading lots of baby books and many of them say not to use talcum powder as it can get in the baby’s lungs and cause problems, who knew? I always thought that baby powder was a good thing for baby’s bottom. I know that mom used it on us while we were little. Maybe that’s what’s wrong with me! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mike1dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@mike1dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mike1dog)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/6 "2004-11-15T01:24:04Z")
Here’s Cecils [answer.](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_103.html) ---
**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/7 "2004-11-15T12:18:21Z")
I read when I was younger it can cause pneumonia. [Here’s what I found on lucky google search of that issue](http://www.parentsplace.com/babies/care/qas/0,,166486_100967,00.html?arrivalSA=1&cobrandRef=0&arrival_freqCap=1&pba=adid=12189980). ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/8 "2004-11-15T13:35:52Z")
When I was in high school we did a production of _Barnum_, which involved learning how to put on clown makeup and other clownly things. The old clown who showed us how to do this stuff told us not to inhale while powdering our makeup to set it because we would fall victim to “white lung.” He claimed there were hundreds of retired clowns suffering from white lung from inhaling the powder for years over the course of their careers. Anecdotal, for what it’s worth. Hold your breath! ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/9 "2004-11-15T14:02:05Z")
As a rule I try to avoid inhaling crushed rock. I’m surprised no one has suggested cornstarch which is more absorbent anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/10 "2004-11-15T14:13:06Z")
I was just going to suggest cornstarch or baking soda. ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/11 "2004-11-15T17:28:47Z")
It never occurred to me that Talcum Powder could be dangerous. I used it all the time as a kid. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/12 "2004-11-15T18:00:25Z")
> [@](#): > > If on the skin, remove it by washing the area. You’re not supposed to get it on your skin? What is talcum powder for?? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/13 "2004-11-15T19:10:08Z")
A lot of “Baby Powder” and such now-a-days is cornstarch, not talcum. ---
**Author:** ![Thin\_Ice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@Thin\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thin_Ice)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/14 "2004-11-15T19:47:02Z")
I remember a news article years ago about a man who liked to powder himself and his whole bed with BP before retiring for the night. The clouds of dust finally drove his wife from the room because she was smart enough to know that breathing that much of it couldn’t be good for you. He died. ---
**Author:** ![dqa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dqa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dqa)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/15 "2004-11-16T02:05:13Z")
> [@Cecil Adams](#): > > Johnson & Johnson says its baby powder never had it, never will, and blames the whole thing on low-class “industrial” (i.e., noncosmetic) talc. Which is what I have. Is there a way I can test to see if there is asbestos contamination? ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/16 "2004-11-16T02:37:23Z")
It can also cause problems for people with allergies, such as myself. I can tell when my female apartment neighbors use it because the fragrance comes thru the ceiling/walls and attacks my eyes and sinuses. Ditto for their laundry soap powder. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/17 "2004-11-16T08:08:31Z")
> [@Thin Ice](#): > > I remember a news article years ago about a man who liked to powder himself and his whole bed with BP before retiring for the night. The clouds of dust finally drove his wife from the room because she was smart enough to know that breathing that much of it couldn’t be good for you. He died. Cause of Death: _ **Lackanookie.** _ ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-risking-death-every-morning-talcum-powder/274758/18 "2004-11-16T20:51:51Z")
Quote: Originally Posted by Cecil Adams Johnson & Johnson says its baby powder never had it, never will, and blames the whole thing on low-class “industrial” (i.e., noncosmetic) talc. Re my post # 3. I stand by my statement. I held that Johnson and Johnson can in my hand, and read the ingredients. Cecil was told a flat out lie.