Publications:
Boon, DN; Goodman, JE; Colonna, KJ; Espira, LM; Prueitt, RL. 2024. “A systematic review of the epidemiology evidence on talc and cancer.” Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 54(6):394-417. doi: 10.1080/10408444.2024.2351081.
Prueitt, RL; Drury, NL; Shore, RA; Boon, DN; Goodman, JE. 2024. “Talc and human cancer: A systematic review of the experimental/animal and mechanistic evidence.” Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 54(6):359-393. doi: 10.1080/10408444.2024.2349668.
Goodman, JE; Espira, LM; Zu, K; Boon, D. 2024. “Quantitative recall bias analysis of the talc and ovarian cancer association.” Glob. Epidemiol. 7:100140. doi: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2024.100140.
Goodman, JE; Boon, D; Prueitt, RL. 2025. “Talc, ovarian cancer, and recall bias in the Sister Study.” Glob. Epidemiol. 9:100203. doi: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2025.100203.
Goodman, JE; Becich, MJ; Bernstein, DM; Case, BW; Mandel, JH; Nel, AE; Nolan, R; Odo, NU; Smith, SR; Taioli, E; Gibbs, G. 2023. “Non-asbestiform elongate mineral particles and mesothelioma risk: Human and experimental evidence.” Environ. Res. 230:114578. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114578.
Talc is a plate-like mineral composed mainly of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen that is mined for use in industrial, personal care, and pharmaceutical products. Mining for talc can involve the inadvertent extraction of other minerals, which can result in minor impurities that are quantified and graded by proportion for use (e.g., cosmetic grade is generally 98% talc, and pharmaceutical grade is > 99% talc). The potential carcinogenicity of talc has been evaluated in many studies in humans, experimental animals, and in vitro systems over the last several decades. Studies have also been conducted to assess talc content, the possibility of impurities, and the potential for exposure to these impurities in talc to impact human health. Gradient has assessed the state of the science on the potential health effects of talc and conducted risk assessments for various talc exposure scenarios.
What We Do:
