The Health Risks of Baby Powder

A primary ingredient in best-selling baby powders is talc, a mined mineral linked to respiratory problems and possible cancers. When talc rocks are milled to fine dust, fibers remain which are similar to asbestos. When inhaled or swallowed, they can embed in soft tissue. As early as 1973, the Federal Drug Administration sought to regulate the concentrations of such fibers in cosmetic-grade talc, but as of 2010, it remains unregulated.

Talcum Powder Poisoning

• Talcum powder is a poison, according to the National Institute of Health, so if you have repeatedly inhaled talc or swallowed it, you must call emergency or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Symptoms include decreased urination, cough, vomiting or even convulsions in extreme cases. Treatment at an emergency room can include intravenous fluids, insertion of a breathing tube and the administration of medicinal antidotes.

Cancer

• Even talc purged of asbestos-like fibers resulted in a 20 percent increase in tumors when administered to laboratory animals, according a September 1993 study by the National Toxicology Program. The American Cancer Society cautions that findings are mixed, however. Though they have documented a 37 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer in women using talc products, the links to lung cancer in patients who inhaled cosmetic-grade talc are inconclusive.

Phthalate Exposure

• Phthalates are synthetic chemicals found in a range of products including baby powders and shampoos as a component of the added fragrance. Due to their chemical structure, phthalates are continually released into the air, putting infants at risk of inhalation or ingestion, eventually leading to problems with reproductive development. Phthalates are already known reproductive toxins in animal models, but a study of infants reported in the February 2008 issue of the journal "Pediatrics" found high metabolic concentrations. This could have adverse effects on their reproductive development as well. Males are most susceptible to reproductive disorders and younger babies showed higher concentrations than older children.