About Imerys Talc Your industries About talc Talc the mineral Extraction and processing What is talc used for? Health and safety effects Fun stuff about talc News and publications Regulatory affairs & product safety Imerys Corporate Website Legal | Site map | Contact CONTACT Health and safety effects In industrial situations, talc powders may generate dust if inappropriately handled or processed. However, extensive research has shown talc to have an "inert" dust effect, not a toxic effect. Occupational exposure limits to dust are legally implemented throughout Europe, North America and in many other countries. Worker exposure at our operations is well within these limits. Imerys has been commended by WHO for its contribution to epidemiological studies on talc and its health effects In addition to the analytical testing performed on our orebodies, the health of our mill workers has been closely monitored for over 50 years through a series of independent European Epidemiological studies. In fact, employees from our Italian, French and Austrian operations constitute the largest data record base in the world. All of these studies have concluded that there was no excess of lung cancer or any other type of cancer amongst these populations. This independent research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and Imerys has been commended by the World Health Organization for its contribution to these studies. Occupational exposure to talc has not been listed as a known or suspected human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the National Toxicity Program (NTP), the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the American Congress of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the European Community DG XI Working Group. Imerys supplies customers with material safety data sheets for its products. These contain detailed information about the composition of the talc product as well as handling, safety and disposal procedures as required by National and European Directives. Visit the Eurotalc website for more details about the health and safety of talc. More about occupational health Eurotalc Website Epidemiological studies OK We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. By continuing your visit you accept the use thereof and our cookies policy.