Mineralogical and Semi-Quantitative Chemical Composition of Some Talc Powders Sold on the Turkish Market

40 of the talcum powders sold in Turkey were investigated to determine whether they contain dangerous minerals such as chrysotile and tremolite for human health. Mineralogical semi-quantitative chemical analyzes made. Besides talc, mostly calcite, kaolinite, magnesite, smectite/chlorite, dolomite, quartz rarely (?) determined powders. It was that calcite content close talc some samples. Talc, crystals are partly flat pointed splintered. In addition, acicular, twisted, filamentous morphology also determined. Stack appearance is observed fibers, sometimes rod, tubular, plate-like shapes. The size rod-like larger than those given literature (≥5µm). composition analysis, addition Si Mg structure silicate minerals, Fe, Ca Al contents many same ratio Mg:Si=3:2 structural formula rod-like/filamentous morphology. general, much higher Mg, while a few these elements has been found be equal. Fe or should taken into account. Because asbestos may cause risk cancer formation tissues biological system. micron-sized carry silicosis.