Call for govt to test Johnson baby talc

FE REPORT | Published: September 05, 2020 22:29:02

Experts have urged the government to do the laboratory test of Johnson & Johnson talc-based baby powder for reportedly carrying cancer-causing chemical, asbestos, in it.
They also criticised the multinational for employing double standards as the product has already been withdrawn from the markets of the USA and Canada.
The withdrawal was made over allegations of chemical contents in their baby product that harms human body, especially baby skin.
The experts made the demand during a virtual conference styled 'The Rise in Asbestos-Cancer Concerns with Johnson & Johnson Talc-Based Baby Powder: Bangladesh Situation'.
Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO), a home-grown research group, hosted the event on Saturday.
Despite a ban on the flagship baby powder in developed countries like the USA and Canada, it is still imported and sold in countries like India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The ESDO exhorted the government to facilitate the lab test of the product to find chemical contents that carry cancer-developing asbestos.
Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) former chairman Prof Abul Hashem, BSTI deputy director Jahora Shikder and BSTI chemical division chairman Prof Dr Nur Nabi spoke at the event.
Asst Prof Md Shafiur Rahman of occupational and environmental health at NIPSOM, ESDO secretary general Dr Shahriar Hossain and ESDO executive director Siddika Sultana also spoke.
The experts said Bangladesh is yet to address this issue properly for not having enough lab support to test and analyse these talc-based products.
Prof Hashem said Bangladesh has ratified the Basel Convention which suggests that it prohibit the import of asbestos-containing products into the country.
"But under the import policy order," he said, "the list of banned chemicals doesn't include asbestos or asbestos-containing products. This matter should come to our government's focus."
Ms Shikder said the BSTI should properly address the situation and test Johnson & Johnson talc-based skin products and take a local talc-based powder to see all are maintaining standards.
Asbestos should be included in the annexure-3 of the import policy order to stop illegal import or use in any imported products, she added.
Inadequate lab support and a lack of skilled manpower and experts, the government body could not do much in the meantime, Ms Shikder admitted.
At the event, Ms Sultana said, "The world right now is undergoing a pandemic situation which has halted almost everything."
"But ESDO will continue its effort to push government for analysing those talcum powders to know if they really harmful for human health and Environment."
The participants at the event also said all products should be tested to detect if there is any harmful chemical used in baby or adult cosmetic products.
Harmful chemicals slowly develop cancer and other deadly diseases in human body.
nsrafsanju@gmail.com