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A single bottle of unopened Johnson's baby powder with a manufacturing date of 1985 was investigated for potential geochemical contaminants of concern. Study of 3 replicate samples via basic powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates talc is the dominant phase present with chlorite ± serpentine and no other major impurities are observed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) documented the presence of Ni as a minor component in observed Fe-sulfides and Cr was detected in chromite and/or chromian magnetite. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) documented the presence of Ni within individual platy and fibrous talc particles. Repeat analysis (n = 10) of pressed powders (n = 5) via handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) yielded SiO 2 contents of 57.40 to 58.28 wt% and MgO contents of 29.90 to 30.79 wt%. Data also documents the presence of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn. Cu and Zn are interpreted to occur in Fe-sulfides. Subsequent duplicate analysis (n = 2) of 3 talc samples via high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) detected 4 trace metals present of concern: V, Co, Cr, and Ni. Across all sample runs (n = 6), V averaged 10.6 ppm (±0.5 ppm at 2σ), Co averaged 55.0 ppm (±4.3 ppm at 2σ), Cr averaged 400.9 ppm (±11.4 ppm at 2σ), and Ni averaged 1395.9 ppm (±105 ppm at 2σ). While a precise geologic source for the studied talc cannot be unequivocally identified based on the data collected in this study (and the sample bottle alone), a comparison with global talc deposits indicates a product origin likely associated with (ultra)mafic-hosted talc deposits based on Ni (ppm) and Cr (ppm) contents, as opposed to carbonate metasedimentary-hosted deposits. From this work, it can therefore be concluded that Ni- and Cr-bearing particles made it into the baby powder production chain of this manufacturer in 1985. This study provides a foundation for future mineral and geochemical characterization of past, present, and future consumer talc-related products and may provide context for health-related studies. [Display omitted] • Talc product safety is highly controversial. • A 1985 bottle of Johnson's baby powder was analyzed to investigate metals. • Averages are V (10.6 ppm), Co (55.0 ppm), Cr (400.9 ppm), Ni (1395.9 ppm). • Ni occurs in talc particles and sulfides; Cr occurs in spinel phases. • The product likely is from an (ultra)mafic-hosted talc deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven cosmetic-pharmaceutical talcum powders from different commercial brands, currently for sale in Spanish pharmacies, have been studied in order to determine their mineral and pharmacopoeia quality. Four samples met the required conditions to be classified both of "cosmetic quality" and "pharmacopoeia quality". These conditions are: absence of potentially carcinogenic minerals, talc purity of more than 90%, low levels of toxic elements and suitable compositional levels of Al, Mg and Ca. The remaining three samples were classified as of "industrial quality". Although these are free from fibrous minerals, the high carbonate content, specifically dolomite (close to 40%) and calcite (about 10%), impacts on the purity in talc by significantly reducing its quantity to the point that the material no longer satisfies many of the compositional tests of the European Pharmacopoeia. The detailed microanalysis with SEM-EDX and size measurements of elongated particles present in the samples showed them to be harmless as their mineral composition is talc and they appear in very low proportions. The SEM-EDX study highlighted the properties for which talcum powder has classically been employed for topical cutaneous use. The comparison of the current results with those of the Spanish market of talcum powder sold in pharmacies in the decade of the 1980s resulted in three principal findings. First, the fibrous minerals have disappeared. In the past, a significant number of samples showed evidence of amphiboles. Second, the purity in talc in samples of cosmetic quality has improved from 94% to 96%. Finally, in the 1980s there were no samples in the Spanish market with talc purity as low as today (60%). Dolomite is currently present in excessive quantities in some talcum powders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]