Canada Government Agencies Warn of Potential Risk of Lung Effects, Ovarian Cancer from Talcum Powder Use

OTTAWA, Ontario –– Canadian government agencies aimed at addressing national public health issues have released a draft screening assessment advising healthcare professionals to remind their patients to avoid inhaling loose talc powders and to avoid female genital exposures to products containing talc.

In the draft screening assessment released Dec. 5, Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada proposed that breathing in loose talc powder may cause lung effects, including decreased lung function and fibrosis, and exposure to the perineal area from using certain talcum powder products could possibly cause ovarian cancer.

“Should the final screening assessment confirm …