Airborne Dust Exposure During the Application of Talc Based Pressed Powder Makeups

1382 

Professional Poster 

L Myers¹

¹Ramboll, Seattle, WA

Lillian Myers, MS  
Ramboll

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral within the Earth's crust, present only in highly specific areas. Throughout much of recorded history, it has been used in cosmetics and personal care products, with uses dating as far back as the ancient Egyptians. Talc-based products have a wide range of use and are ubiquitous across the cosmetic market. As a cosmetic ingredient, the safety profile of talc within the cosmetic toxicology literature is well-established within the peer reviewed scientific literature, with special consideration made for inhalation of talc. Studies of inhaled talc at cosmetic purity levels indicate that low concern for acute irritation of lung tissue, especially lung tissue that is dependent on the size distribution of talc particles inhaled. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of single and multiple uses of talc-containing facial makeup products on particulate exposure in a controlled simulation chamber.

Powder products are either loose powders, which flow freely, or pressed powders, which are designed to stay in place. As a result of the nature of powder products, they can be inhaled, though different ingredient compositions lead to different inhalation potential. Loose powders present a well-studied, greater inhalation potential than that of pressed powders. Recently, authoritative bodies in the EU, US and Canada, among others, have called the inhalation potential of pressed powders into question. The inhalation potential of pressed powders has largely been described theoretically, with few empirical studies quantifying the amount of a product that may be respirable. Furthermore, none of these studies established real-life usage conditions such as typical application duration, usage weight of applied products, or measured particles that may be respirable when products are directly applied to the skin of individuals. Although any specific measurement method has limitations, we reasoned that in-use application by individuals would be the most representative of actual product use. Thus, we present data from the application of talc based pressed powder products, interpretation of the findings, and evaluation of toxicology and epidemiology related to cosmetic talc.

Volunteers were recruited from local Ramboll offices. Single use evaluations, executed on April 29, 2025, involved participants applying makeup once before exiting the chamber. Multiple use evaluations, conducted over April 30 and May 1, 2025, required participants to apply makeup three times, exiting only to remove the makeup, with no chamber cleaning between applications. After each session, tables were wet wiped with mild detergent, and an air scrubber operated for five minutes.

Participants arrived bare faced, carrying their chosen products into the simulation chamber. They followed a standardized application sequence: compact powder, blush, and eye shadow, each with a pause of one minute. Before and after using each product, participants measured its mass on a calibrated balance. After application, participants stayed in the chamber for an additional five minutes. An investigator observed each session, noting qualitative observations and instructing participants on timing and procedures. All timestamps of application and exiting were meticulously recorded.

Particle measurements and fiber collection:
During makeup application, instantaneous (5-second average) dust measurements were taken using a TSI DRX dust meter, which concurrently measured mass concentration over five particulate size channels: PM1, PM2.5, Respirable (PM4.0), PM10, and Total. The DRX instrument was calibrated with emery oil and adjusted to match Arizona Test Dust A1 to ensure close representation of mass-based concentration, given talc's specific gravity similarity.

Furthermore, respirable dust and fiber samples were collected at near and far chamber corners (approximately five feet high). Dust samples were taken at 2 liters/minute using a SKC PPI impactor, analyzed via NIOSH method 0600. Fiber samples were collected at 10 liters/minute through a mixed cellulose ester filter, analyzed by NIOSH methods 7400 and 7402.

Statistical analysis:
Analyses were performed using R (version 4.5.1). Descriptive statistics summarized overall and subgroup particulate concentrations. Data stratified by application period versus background exposure were visualized through individual and averaged trajectories. Application time was adjusted to reflect true exposure periods. Average duration and mass of products used was also evaluated.
Overall, the study provided insights into particulate exposure during makeup application, offering valuable data through controlled evaluations and comprehensive statistical analysis.

This study evaluated application time, product mass used, and airborne particulate and fiber exposures associated with the use of pressed powder facial cosmetics (compact powder, blush, and eyeshadow). Participants applied products in a simulated home environment, with average application times of 6 minutes 21 seconds (single-entry) and 5 minutes 13 seconds (multi-entry), and an overall average of 5 minutes 36 seconds. Application durations ranged from 1 minute 12 seconds to 11 minutes 9 seconds.
Product mass used per application was low. In single-entry sessions, average masses were 0.08 g (compact powder), 0.02 g (blush), and 0.01 g (eyeshadow). Multi-entry sessions yielded similar values, with compact powder consistently showing the highest average mass applied (0.10 g overall). In some cases, particularly for eyeshadow, mass changes were below the resolution of the balance.

Airborne particulate matter (PM) concentrations were measured in the breathing zone during and prior to application across five particle size channels. During application, average concentrations were as follows: PM1 0.0085 mg/m³, PM2.5 0.0088 mg/m³, PM4.0 0.0095 mg/m³, PM10 0.0142 mg/m³, and Total (<15 µm) 0.0665 mg/m³. Pre-application levels were significantly lower, indicating a measurable increase in PM exposure during use.

Fiber concentrations, assessed via NIOSH 7400 and 7402 methods, ranged from 0.0019 to 0.0056 f/cc in breathing zone samples and <0.0018 to 0.0039 f/cc in area samples.
This study provides important characterization of exposure associated with consumer use of pressed powder facial cosmetics, including product mass used and airborne particulate and fiber concentrations. While exposures were measurable, notably for fine particulate matter in the breathing zone, the observed levels were low and consistent with prior literature on consumer powder use.
Our findings help clarify how cosmetic talc exposure during typical consumer use compares to occupational settings, as well as emphasizing the importance of differentiating between occupational and consumer exposure contexts when evaluating potential health effects. This distinction is critical for shaping informed public health messaging and guiding regulatory decisions that reflect real-world exposure scenarios.

Exposure Assessment