Asbestos found in baby powder talc

A total of 11 baby powder products currently on sale have been found to contain the carcinogenic material asbestos, according to the state-run institution handling public health safety on Wednesday. There is also a danger that many more products will be discovered to contain the dangerous material.

The Korea Food and Drug Administration said in a press release that 11 out of 30 baby powder products from 14 companies that had been examined had asbestos in their key ingredient: talc. The food and drug administration yesterday ordered an immediate recall and banned the sale of those products.

It said further that 10 of the tainted products are made with talc imported from China by Duksan Pure Chemicals. La Couvee baby powder from Korea Kolmar also used talc from China, imported by Susung Pharmaceutical.

Asbestos was not found in products manufactured by two industry leaders - Johnson & Johnson and Agabang.

The investigation was sparked by an official request from local broadcaster KBS on March 30. One of the station’s programs conducted a probe that discovered baby powders currently on market shelves contain asbestos, a material classified as a threat to human health. Korean law prohibits production, importation and use of goods that contain over 0.1 percent asbestos.

Countries such as the United States and nations in Western Europe have adopted restrictions on the use of talc in products for babies since 2005 due to the risk. Talc, a mineral, tends to contain asbestos by nature, since it is buried underground along with other minerals. The asbestos must be removed from the talc if it is to be used safely. Asbestos enters the human body through the respiratory organs or cuts on the skin.

Korea has yet to establish strict safety regulations on companies producing goods that may contain asbestos. Given that not only baby powder but also cosmetics and medical goods contain talc, it is likely that those products also carry the carcinogenic material.

The Korea Cosmetic Association said in a statement yesterday that it has requested its members to look into talc-containing products. It said the results are expected next week at the latest.

Yoo Moo-young, head of the KFDA’s Pharmaceutical Safety Policy Division said, “We sincerely apologize to the people for not thoroughly checking for possible danger of asbestos in the powder. The institution will come up with regulations by the end of this month to prevent carcinogens in powder products.”

By Lee Min-yong [smartpower@joongang.co.kr]