You expect everyday products to be safe, not subject to changing oversight. But on November 28, 2025, RFK Jr. signed the FDA’s withdrawal of a proposed rule that would have required asbestos testing in talc products, a move carried out under the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda. Here’s what you need to know.
In December 2024, the FDA proposed a rule under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act that would have required mandatory asbestos testing in talc-containing cosmetics.
The asbestos testing rule would have created the first national safety standard for talc cosmetics by requiring companies to test for talc asbestos contamination by using specialized microscopy capable of detecting even trace asbestos fibers. You can read the full proposed rule here.
The Trump administration withdrew the regulation as part of its MAHA agenda, citing a need to “reconsider the best means” of addressing asbestos in cosmetics.
Without these asbestos testing requirements, consumers now rely on voluntary industry practices, despite the increased mesothelioma risk associated with asbestos exposure. If you’re concerned by this issue, you can learn more on our page covering the causes of mesothelioma.
If the rule had gone forward, manufacturers would have been required to test for asbestos in “a representative sample of each batch or lot” of talc.
Approved methods included:
Companies would have been required to keep testing documentation for three years, and either test finished cosmetic products themselves or obtain verified certificates from their raw talc suppliers. The FDA also emphasized that there is “no established safe level” of asbestos exposure, meaning even trace amounts of asbestos in talc could pose a risk. If you’d like to understand how asbestos exposure affects the body over time, you can explore our page on asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.
If you’ve wondered, “Is there asbestos in my makeup?” the answer lies in what is in talc and how it forms.
Talc and asbestos develop together in the same geological rock formations. According to the FDA, the two materials “may be inseparable from talc in the mining process.”
In the FDA’s 2019 talc testing, 9 out of 52 products tested positive for asbestos. The most common type found was chrysotile, a form linked to mesothelioma.
Because companies are not required to test talc powder or cosmetic products for asbestos, consumers cannot confirm whether a makeup product is safe.
In the FDA’s 2019 asbestos test, several popular cosmetic items were found to contain asbestos, including:
Most of these were children’s cosmetics, raising serious concerns for anyone who used similar talc-based products growing up. And the issue wasn’t purely limited to makeup. From the 1960s through the 2000s, many talcum powder and baby powder products also contained asbestos, contributing to ongoing baby powder cancer cases and mesothelioma diagnoses.
The rule was withdrawn under the Trump administration’s MAHA framework, which justified the move as an effort to reduce “regulatory burden.” Critics argue the Trump asbestos decision prioritizes industry concerns over consumer safety, reversing months of FDA planning. In its withdrawal notice, the RFK-led FDA said it needed to “reconsider the best means” of addressing asbestos exposure in talc products.
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) responded sharply, with cofounder Linda Reinstein calling the reversal “a profound setback for public health and consumer safety” and warning that ‘withdrawing the rules removes basic protections for consumers, especially women and children, who are disproportionately exposed through daily personal care routines,’ as shared in their public statement. Without a federal asbestos testing standard in place, talc products now reach consumers unverified, leaving people vulnerable to hidden contamination.
The link between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure is well-established, with talc products representing a significant but often overlooked source. Asbestos exposure from talc happens through both inhalation and ingestion. Each time you apply loose makeup or use baby powder, fine particles can be breathed in or swallowed, and over years or decades, those exposures build up. Mesothelioma develops slowly, often 20 to 60 years after exposure, which is why people who used talc products heavily from the 1960s–2000s are being diagnosed today.
As occupational medicine specialist Dr. Jacqueline Moline, MD, MSc explains, “Cumulative exposure to asbestos leads to mesothelioma; for individuals with mixed exposures, all exposures should be considered.” Because talc particles can also migrate internally, women who used baby powder for feminine hygiene face an added risk of ovarian cancer linked to long-term talc use.
Growing evidence of asbestos in talc products has led to thousands of legal claims, including cases involving mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer. Courts have confirmed that talc contaminated with asbestos can cause mesothelioma, and major cosmetic manufacturers have faced substantial litigation as a result.
If you’re considering a talcum powder lawsuit, it’s helpful to know that:
If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma after using talc products, get a free case evaluation from our experienced legal team today.
The FDA has stated that a “new proposed rule” on asbestos testing is forthcoming, but without a current timeline. Until then, the U.S. remains without mandatory screening requirements for cosmetic talc.
Meanwhile, Europe classifies talc as a Category 1B carcinogen and is considering a cosmetics ban by 2027, putting pressure on global regulators to reassess talc safety.
As the talc FDA landscape evolves, consumers should track:
Until clearer standards emerge, staying informed is one of the strongest protections consumers have.
Is talc bad for you? When talc is contaminated with asbestos, the answer is yes. Asbestos-contaminated talc poses serious health risks, including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, with effects that can take decades to appear. To reduce risk, start by checking ingredient labels for talc in cosmetics, body powders, and baby powders. If you’d rather avoid the uncertainty altogether, you can choose talc-free alternatives.
Talc-free options include:
If you’re wondering “How to know if a product has asbestos?”, the truth is that consumers cannot determine this without laboratory testing, a gap that remains without federal requirements in place.
If you used talc products for years, it may help to:
And if you’ve already been diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer, legal support may help you access the resources you need. Were you a long-term talc user diagnosed after decades of exposure? Get a free consultation and learn your options.
Lauren is a copywriter dedicated to producing clear and trustworthy content for patients and their families. With a focus on accuracy and accessibility, Lauren works to make complex medical information easier to navigate and understand.
Talc: Information and 2019 Cosmetic Testing Results. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/potential-contaminants-cosmetics/talc
Moline, J., et al. “Mesothelioma Associated With the Use of Cosmetic Talc.” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2020 https://journals.lww.com/joem/Fulltext/2020/09000/Mesothelioma_Associated_With_the_Use_of_Cosmetic.12.aspx
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). Public Statement on FDA’s Withdrawal of Talc Asbestos Testing Proposal. https://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org
The Hill. “FDA’s Talc Asbestos Testing Proposal Withdrawn.” https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5622484-fda-talc-asbestos-testing-proposal-withdrawn/