(Toxic)
Impurities in Talcum Powder
Many years ago (24+), I worked in a research facility doing analysis of many samples (all kinds). The one lab that I worked in was an X-ray diffraction lab, where I analyzed thousands of different kinds of samples (I was an expert at managing and also modifying X-ray diffraction equipment). One of the systems that I used was a modified Rigaku rotating anode generator with a Huber monochromator, Guinier camera, etc. The company was going to order 3 million pounds of talcum and use it as a thixotropic agent. They came to me with a sample for analysis of any toxic impurities. I said sure, and proceeded to run the 1 pound sample in my Guinier camera. I developed the film, and the diffraction pattern was perfect. I calculated the d-spacings and searched the JCPDS files for a match. Lo and behold, the match was perfect for a substance called tremolite – a crystalline form of asbestos! The concentration was estimated to be 15% to 20%. The company was upset and cancelled the 3 million pound order. Where is the quality control of this substance? | don’t remember where it actually came from, across the pond (foreign). Our family never did use this product (garbage).
Mr. William Broering
Rising Sun, Indiana
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