In a systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers found that occupational exposure to talc that is not contaminated with asbestos is not associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, or laryngeal cancer. The survey results are Journal of Thoracic Oncology, Official journal of the International Association for Lung Cancer Research. Access the full study here: https://www.jto.org/article/S1556-0864(26)00163-2/.
Evidence suggests a potential link between occupational talc exposure and increased risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma when talc is contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. However, the findings regarding uncontaminated talc were inconclusive.
To address this issue, researchers led by Paolo Boffetta of the Stony Brook Cancer Center and Renaissance School of Medicine’s Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine in New York State identified 13, 8, and 7 publications reporting on lung cancer, mesothelioma, and laryngeal cancer, respectively. The meta-analysis included five studies on lung cancer in talc miners and millers and three studies in other industries.
The meta-analysis revealed the following:
lung cancer
The relative risk (RR) for miners and millers was 1.13 (95% CI: 0.97 to 1.33)
RR for workers in other industries is 1.12 (95% CI: 0.79-1.57)
mesothelioma
No cases were reported among talc miners and millers in the primary analysis
laryngeal cancer
No association (RR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.58–1.57)
Talc is a natural mineral that is mined from the earth and processed into a soft powder-like substance used in products such as cosmetics, ceramics, paper, and plastics. The main producing regions for talc include China, India, Brazil, the United States, France, and Italy.
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men (after prostate cancer) and women (after breast cancer). In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 1,572,000 new infections and 1,233,000 deaths per year in men, and 908,000 new cases and 587,000 deaths in women.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, most often diagnosed in the pleura (known as pleural mesothelioma), but can also occur in the abdominopelvic cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma), the heart (pericardial mesothelioma), or the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma was considered an extremely rare tumor until the 1960s, when a series of large cases were reported among workers employed in asbestos mining and manufacturing.
Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common types of head and neck cancer. According to GLOBOCAN 2022 (4), the global age-standardized rate (ASR) is only 1.9 per 100,000 people and the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) is 1 per 100,000.
”In conclusion, current epidemiological evidence does not support an increased risk of lung, mesothelioma, or laryngeal cancer in workers primarily exposed to talc without asbestos contamination.” Boffetta and co-authors wrote.
However, according to this study, it is important to continue monitoring occupational populations, enhance mineralogical characterization of talc deposits, and conduct future studies that include detailed exposure assessments and control for key confounders. These steps are essential to better understand potential low-level risks and inform strategies for occupational health prevention.
sauce:
International Association for Lung Cancer Research
Reference magazines:
Seyed Salehi, Mississippi; others. (2026). Occupational exposure to non-asbestos talc and the risk of respiratory cancers such as laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, and mesothelioma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Thoracic Oncology Journal. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2026.103710. https://www.jto.org/article/S1556-0864(26)00163-2/abstract
