Joan E Steffen1, Triet Tran, Muna Yimam, Kate M Clancy, Tess B Bird, Mark Rigler, William Longo, David S Egilman. 1. Never Again Consulting, Attleboro, Massachusetts (Ms Steffen, Mr Tran, Ms Yimam, Ms Clancy, Dr Bird, Dr Egilman); College of Engineering and Mines (student), University of Alaska - Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska (Ms Clancy); Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut (Dr Bird); Materials Analytical Services LLC, Suwanee, Georgia (Dr Rigler, Dr Longo); Department of Family Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island (Dr Egilman).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Asbestos is a known cause of ovarian cancer. We report 10 cases of serous ovarian cancer among users of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) asbestos-containing "cosmetic" talc products. METHODS: We conducted an asbestos exposure assessment during talc application and analyzed surgical tissues and talc containers for asbestos and talc. RESULTS: Talc was found in all cases and tremolite and/or anthophyllite asbestos was found in 8/10 cases. The asbestos fibers found in the "cosmetic" talc containers matched those found in tissues. We estimated inhaled asbestos dose ranged from 0.38 to 5.18 fiber years. CONCLUSION: We provide evidence that the inhaled dose of asbestos/fibrous talc from "cosmetic" talc use causes ovarian cancer. The unique combination of the types of asbestiform minerals detected in cancerous tissue and "cosmetic" talc is a fingerprint for exposure to asbestos-containing talc.
OBJECTIVE: Asbestos is a known cause of ovarian cancer. We report 10 cases of serous ovarian cancer among users of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) asbestos-containing "cosmetic" talc products. METHODS: We conducted an asbestos exposure assessment during talc application and analyzed surgical tissues and talc containers for asbestos and talc. RESULTS: Talc was found in all cases and tremolite and/or anthophyllite asbestos was found in 8/10 cases. The asbestos fibers found in the "cosmetic" talc containers matched those found in tissues. We estimated inhaled asbestos dose ranged from 0.38 to 5.18 fiber years. CONCLUSION: We provide evidence that the inhaled dose of asbestos/fibrous talc from "cosmetic" talc use causes ovarian cancer. The unique combination of the types of asbestiform minerals detected in cancerous tissue and "cosmetic" talc is a fingerprint for exposure to asbestos-containing talc.
Authors: Luigi Vimercati; Domenica Cavone; Maria Celeste Delfino; Biagio Bruni; Luigi De Maria; Antonio Caputi; Stefania Sponselli; Roberta Rossi; Leonardo Resta; Francesco Fortarezza; Federica Pezzuto; Gabriella Serio Journal: Cancers (Basel) Date: 2021-05-10 Impact factor: 6.639