Talc (Mg3H2(SiO3)4)

Direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Administrative data

Endpoint:

direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Type of information:

other: Human observational study for talc

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: A published study containing sufficient details to regard it as reliable for use in hazard assessment. Limited experimental detail provided.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Severe endobronchitis and airway stricture caused by inhalation of cosmetic talc.

Author:

Ong TH and Takano A.

Year:

2012

Bibliographic source:

Chest. 2012;142:(2):511-513.

Materials and methods

Study type:

clinical case study

Endpoint addressed:

acute toxicity: inhalation

repeated dose toxicity: inhalation

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline available

Principles of method if other than guideline:

A 70-yr old non-smoking female was determined to have intense endobronchitis and airway stricture following inhalation of large amounts of cosmetic talc

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Talc (Mg3H2(SiO3)4)

EC Number:

238-877-9

EC Name:

Talc (Mg3H2(SiO3)4)

Cas Number:

14807-96-6

Molecular formula:

H2Mg3O12Si4

IUPAC Name:

Talc (Mg3H2(SiO3)4)

Test material form:

solid

Method

Type of population:

general

Subjects:

A 70-yr old non-smoking female was determined to have intense endobronchitis and airway stricture following inhalation of large amounts of cosmetic talc

Ethical approval:

not specified

Route of exposure:

inhalation

Reason of exposure:

intentional

Exposure assessment:

not specified

Details on exposure:

A 70-yr old non-smoking female was determined to have intense endobronchitis and airway stricture following inhalation of large amounts of cosmetic talc.
The subject frequently poured a “small pile of talcum powder” into her hand and applied it to her face.

Examinations:

Bronchoscopy showed diffuse, severe endobronchitis that extended throughout both main stem bronchi. Chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) imaging showed complete collapse of the right upper and middle lobes of the lung; the right lung was normal with the exception of scattered areas of mild bronchial wall thickening, bronchial plugging, and a few non-specific nodules. Bronchial biopsies showed edema, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis, and there were confluent foreign-body granulomata that contained birefringent crystalline material. Spectral analysis confirmed the crystals were the same composition as the talc used by the subject.

Medical treatment:

no medication

Results and discussion

Clinical signs:

Bronchoscopy showed diffuse, severe endobronchitis that extended throughout both main stem bronchi.

Results of examinations:

Chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) imaging showed complete collapse of the right upper and middle lobes of the lung; the right lung was normal with the exception of scattered areas of mild bronchial wall thickening, bronchial plugging, and a few non-specific nodules. Bronchial biopsies showed edema, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis, and there were confluent foreign-body granulomata that contained birefringent crystalline material. Spectral analysis confirmed the crystals were the same composition as the talc used by the subject.

Effectivity of medical treatment:

no medication

Outcome of incidence:

no data

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

Bronchial biopsies showed edema, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis, and there were confluent foreign-body granulomata that contained birefringent crystalline material. Spectral analysis confirmed the crystals were the same composition as the talc used by the subject.