172-12 Trace Metal Analysis of Historical Talc-Based Baby Powders: Evidence of Source Rock Contamination

Session: Urban Geochemistry

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Abstract:

Historically, talc has been a commonly used mineral in personal hygiene and cosmetic products, providing smoothness in blushes, transparency in foundations, and the gradual release of fragrances. Additionally, talc has been a primary component of many baby powder formulas. Talc is a hydrous phyllosilicate mineral with an ideal chemical formula of (Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂), and is known to be associated with asbestiform minerals (e.g., tremolite, chrysotile, and actinolite). Owing to the nature of talc deposits, metal contamination (e.g., nickel, chromium, cobalt, lead, zinc) from source rock is perceived to occur, and previous investigations have revealed such findings. This study analyzes thirty baby powder samples from bottles consisting of Johnson & Johnson, Mennen, and Avon Catillion using high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) in Miami University’s Department of Geology and Environmental Science. HR-ICP-MS was conducted using a Nu Instruments Attom ES. Approximately 0.05g of baby powder samples was dissolved using HNO3 and HF digestion techniques. Data was corrected using an internal drift correction of 1 ppb indium, and eight standards (BHVO-2, BCR-2, DNC-1, GSP-2, AGV-2, NCSDC 60131, NCSDC 60132, and BCS RM 203a) were used to produce calibration curves. A blank was run alongside unknown samples to ensure proper data collection. HR-ICP-MS indicates metal contamination of baby powders from chromium (2.25 ppm to 548.04 ppm), cobalt (1.65 ppm to 77.90 ppm), nickel (3.10 ppm to 2132.47 ppm), zinc (BDL to 884.21 ppm), and lead (1.97 ppm to 5.90 ppm). Basic powder XRD was performed using a Bruker D8 Advance ECO X-ray diffractometer. One sample from each bottle was analyzed using rotating side pack mounts from 5° to 65° 2Ɵ, with a step size of 0.01° 2Ɵ at 1 s/step. Results show talc is the dominant mineral, with lesser amounts of chlorite, and potential serpentine detected. Future work will involve scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques to identify morphological characteristics (e.g., platy, fibrous) and confirm the presence or absence of sulfides and other minerals within samples. The results of this study will provide insight into the historical context of source contamination in talc-based products.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-7655

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