1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

The Trump administration has abruptly halted an FDA effort that was designed to keep asbestos out of talc-based cosmetics. The proposal would have created consistent testing standards so manufacturers had to prove their talc was free of asbestos. Instead of moving forward with that basic safety measure, they pulled the plug. Linda Reinstein, Mesothelioma Widow and Cofounder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, issued a statement: “This decision is a profound setback for public health and consumer safety. Scrapping this common sense requirement not only ignores a clear Congressional directive, but also leaves millions of Americans vulnerable to preventable asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a lethal carcinogen with no safe level of exposure. Decades of evidence demonstrate that talc—a common cosmetic ingredient which is often found in close proximity to asbestos—can be contaminated during mining, manufacturing, and product formulation. Withdrawing the rule removes basic protections for consumers, especially women and children, who are disproportionately exposed through daily personal care routines. Scientific research continues to show the consequences: inhaling even a microscopic asbestos fiber can cause deadly illnesses including mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. These diseases can develop decades after exposure. The FDA’s retreat from its regulatory responsibilities leaves the public at risk and disregards both scientific consensus and Congressional intent. Congress mandated this rule as part of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 because the current testing framework is outdated, inconsistent, and incapable of reliably identifying all asbestos fibers. “ I believe that protecting Americans from asbestos exposure isn’t optional, nor should it be up for debate, yet here we are. Trump and his corrupt administration make it clear that he does not care about our citizens. Withdrawing this 2022 rule could allow millions of women and children to be exposed to asbestos, increasing cancer risk due to the use of talc in cosmetics. This is unacceptable. I urge you to push back and insist that the FDA uphold the 2022 Regulation Act to prevent asbestos exposure.