Posted on January 14, 2022
On January 13, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released the Interagency Working Group on Asbestos in Consumer Products (IWGACP) white paper titled IWGACP Scientific Opinions on Testing Methods for Asbestos in Cosmetic Products Containing Talc (including Talc Intended for Use in Cosmetics).
As stated, the white paper outlines scientific opinions on the testing of talc-containing cosmetic products to ensure reliable detection and identification of asbestos particles if present. Next steps include preparing an external peer review of hth White Paper and Technical Appendices and continuing the agency’s testing of talc-containing cosmetic products for asbestos in 2022. Any next steps in a regulatory process will go through a public process to allow interested parties to provide comments to the agency.
As a mesothelioma widow, I’m encouraged to read the FDA IWGACP opinions about talc testing for personal care and cosmetic products which could potentially affect cosmetic product safety. This white paper follows the February 2020 public meeting where ADAO spoke about asbestos testing and the health risk of exposure. We are encouraged to see the agency continue this work, as the fight to eliminate asbestos crosses multiple agency jurisdictions.
No one should ever be exposed to asbestos, a known carcinogen, in their homes, schools, workplaces, or from consumer products. Each year, more than 40,000 Americans die from preventable asbestos-caused diseases, yet imports and use continue. It is outrageous that in 2021, more than 300 metric tons of raw chrysotile asbestos were imported by the Chlor-Alkali Industry.
ADAO remains focused on working with FDA, EPA and Congress on asbestos prevention and policy actions. Presently, ADAO has been working with Congress to press for the introduction and passage of the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act of 2022 Discussion Draft, a commercial asbestos ban on imports and use, to save lives. The draft is currently under consideration.
There are 3 things you need to know about 2022 Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Discussion Draft and asbestos:
- EPA doesn’t not have regulatory jurisdiction over personal care and cosmetics — the FDA does.
- ARBAN, a commercial asbestos ban, would be an amendment to the Toxic Substances Control Act (1976).
- The Toxic Substances Control Act defines asbestos as the asbestiform varieties of: chrysotile (serpentine); crocidolite (riebeckite); amosite (cummingtonite/grunerite); anthophyllite; tremolite; and actinolite — and accordingly, these are the definitions the draft focuses on.
ADAO and other stakeholders continue to work with Congress on Sen. Jeff Merkley’s discussion draft. We’re looking forward to advancing the bill this year.
In unity,
Linda Reinstein