Talcum powder is not uncommon, especially in medicine. The main component of talcum powder is hydrated magnesium silicate, which can be used medicinally. The preparation of talcum powder is relatively simple, that is, the fossils are crushed, treated with salt water, washed with water and dried. Talcum powder is widely used in many industries. The talcum powder can also be used as a food additive to improve the taste of food. However, there are more and more claims that talcum powder causes cancer. So, is medical talcum powder really carcinogenic? Let's take a closer look at the main functions and hazards of talcum powder.
The main function of talcum powder. The medicinal history of talcum powder has been long. Clinically, the main functions of talcum powder are diuresis and stranguria, clearing heat and relieving summer heat, eliminating dampness and healing sores. Diseases that can be treated include heat stranguria, stranguria, astringent pain due to heat in urine, summer dampness and polydipsia, etc. Dermatosis such as eczema and miliaria can be treated externally. Toilet powder can protect skin and mucous membrane, and because of its small particles and large total area, it can adsorb toxic substances. Rubbing inflamed or damaged skin with talcum powder can prevent inflammation.
Hazards of talcum powder. At present, talcum powder has been listed as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization. Talcum powder particles are one of the causes of ovarian cancer and lung cancer. Talcum powder is as carcinogenic as asbestos. There have been cases of talcum powder causing cancer, and there have also been relevant regulations that talcum powder cannot be added to cosmetics. It was once thought that cosmetics added with talcum powder would cause cancer because it contained asbestos fibers. However, studies show that the carcinogenicity of talcum powder has nothing to do with asbestos fiber.
This paper answers the question whether medical talcum powder really causes cancer, and introduces the main functions and harms of talcum powder. Talcum powder is indeed a carcinogen, and the World Health Organization lists it as one of the three major carcinogens. The carcinogenicity of talcum powder has been proved. We'd better not use cosmetics added with talcum powder or eat food added with talcum powder.