Warning of talc containing baby powder

Federal Institute for Risk Assessment warns against talc containing baby powder

29/06/2011

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) warns of possible health risks caused by talc containing baby powder. The powder can accidentally get into the nose or mouth and from here into the respiratory tract of infants when winding, which threatens impaired breathing and severe lung damage, said the BfR.

The reason for the BfR's recent warning of baby powder containing talc was an accident in which a two-year-old girl tipped the contents of a compact into her face and subsequently had to deal with severe poisoning and considerable health problems. The BfR therefore demanded in the context of its current communication in Berlin the introduction of a secure closure system or, alternatively, a ban on baby powders containing talcum, in order to avoid similar accidents in the future.

Serious health consequences due to baby powder containing talc
Again and again, similar accidents involving baby powder containing talcum have occurred in the past, with the President of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Professor Dr. med. Dr. Andreas Hensel as „a typical accident situation“ beschriebt, „when the child is lying on his back to wrap, the powder compact unintentionally opens over him and trickles out the powder.“ Breathe the toddlers anschießend the powder, massive respiratory problems, severe lung damage and poisoning phenomena can be the result, the warning of the BfR. There are serious health problems. The BfR reports 113 accidents caused by inhalation of baby powder, which were reported in the period from 1979 to 2008 at poison information centers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Most children were affected between the ages of half and two years. Luckily, no lasting damage to health has been recorded so far, BfR said.

Ban on talc containing baby powder required
The BfR experts explained that in view of the existing health risk in the case of baby dolls containing talc it was urgently necessary to have a secure closure system and, alternatively, a general ban on talc in baby puzzles had to be taken. Because in the opinion of paediatricians, the use of talc-containing baby powder is not necessary from a medical point of view. Until new regulations are made, parents should generally take care when using baby powders containing talcum that the powder cans are not kept within reach of the children and are always locked when not in use. In addition, according to BfR, the warnings on the packaging should be taken into account when using the products (eg keeping a sufficient distance to the eyes, mouth and nose). (Fp)

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Picture: Alexandra H.