CTFA Urges NTP To Reconsider Talc Data For Carcinogenicity Review
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association encouraged the National Toxicology Program to reconsider data submitted to the agency by the association in 2002 on the safety of cosmetic talc as part of the agency's review of the ingredient for possible listing in the 12th Report on Carcinogens
|
The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association encouraged the National Toxicology Program to reconsider data submitted to the agency by the association in 2002 on the safety of cosmetic talc as part of the agency's review of the ingredient for possible listing in the 12th Report on Carcinogens. The trade group resubmitted data to NTP Sept. 14 in response to the agency's request for input on the topic. NTP released a notice in May stating it would consider listing talc and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in the report, scheduled to be released in 2006 (1 'The Rose Sheet' May 24, 2004, In Brief). The data encompass a scientific literature review supporting the safety of cosmetic talc in regard to a potential link with ovarian cancer, the basis of the proposed listing. The NTP Board of Scientific Counselors reviewed cosmetic talc in 2000 for the 10th RoC, but deferred listing. At the time, the board said additional studies, including those assessing the impact of low dose and long-term exposure of non-asbestiform talc, were needed (2 (Also see "Further Talc Research Needed For Carcinogen Risk Assessment - NTP" - HBW Insight, 1 Jan, 2001.), p. 11). CTFA's most recent submission is an extension of 3 comments sent to NTP in July, which also point to the association's earlier data. "Our previous submissions show conclusively that the listing of cosmetic talc is not scientifically justified," CTFA says. "This conclusion was supported by a 7-3 vote by the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors not to list talc containing asbestiform fibers," the trade group adds. "There are not new data since the initial nomination and review that would change that conclusion." The association points out that following NTP's deferral, an article supporting a conclusion that cosmetic talc does not pose a cancer hazard was published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology in 2002. In 2003, a meta-analysis of epidemiology studies of perineal application of talc and ovarian cancer was published in Anticancer Research, the trade group adds, noting the analysis concluded "available observational data do not support the existence of a causal relationship between perineal talc exposure and an increased risk of epithelial ovarian cancer." |