I had already stopped buying talcum powder because of suspected links between talc and cancer. Now I read recently in The Ecologist that large scale mining for soapstone (the principal ingredient in talc) is causing large scale damage to nature reserves in Rajasthan, India. As a result of this damage, the already highly endangered Indian tiger is being pushed even closer to extinction. The quarrying not only destroys tiger habitats but also devastates the forest and watersheds vital for the well being of local people. Read more in this report from the Environmental Investigation Agency.
If you're looking for an alternative to talcum powder, Neals Yard Remedies sells a body powder made from corn starch, which is what I have bought recently. Or you could just do without, which is what I'm going to start doing in the future!
5 comments:
Gosh I did not know that about talcum powder - perhaps because I've never used it. It's awful what humanity and it's monstrous buildings, highways, and so-called technology does to the environment. The worse part is we never realize these things sometimes until it is too late to reverse the damage. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
I will also simply do without
talcum powder, we've been so
conditioned to over-scented our
bodies it's ridiculous.
How awful. I had no idea. These unscrupulous companies really do need to be held a little more accountable. It's just not right. That's it for me - talcum powder is off the list.
cynthia, selma - you're so right!
janice - it is awful what we do to the environment
It may sound silly and shallow but this is really bad news for me. I use talcum powder as a gentler to my skin alternative to deodorant, and in summer, it's a necessity to prevent sore skin in some sweaty areas. I once tried a supposedly natural alternative with chickpea flour and it was a complete disaster.
I guess that the best I can do for the time being is to make a very careful use (small amounts and not often) of the dusting powder now in the use and then not buy more again.
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