Talc Inhalation in Rats and Humans: A Review and Appraisal of Available Evidence.

Background: Current information on the health effects and toxicology of talc suggests that this may lead to a specific target organ toxicity arising from repeated exposure (STOT-RE) classification.

Objective: To provide an assessment of the currently available inhalation toxicity data on talc and to put these data in the perspective of other poorly soluble low-toxicity particles.

Methods: A database of 177 articles was gathered from different sources.

Results: Relevant animal data sets were subjected to a quality review, and epidemiological studies on talc and lung effects published since 2016 were reviewed.

Conclusions: Of nine original inhalation studies reviewed, only one study using rats and mice met the criteria that are needed to include for a reliable evaluation for STOT-RE. Together with the pulmonary effects observed in exposed talc miners, a STOT-RE 1 classification is warranted.