In a recent episode of The Business of America podcast, physician, scientist, and biotech CEO Dr. George Tidmarsh raised concerns regarding assumptions the FDA had made over several years on the safety of various household substances, most notably talc. According to Dr. Tidmarsh, after declaring the substance safe back in the 1970s, the matter has not been reexamined since.

You can watch the full interview below.

“Think of how much science and data have changed since the 1980s,” Tidmarsh said, emphasizing how far science’s analytical capabilities have come in the past 50 years. In short, a lack of updated evaluation could leave consumers exposed to risks that current standards would otherwise flag.

Using talc, a powder found in everything from baby products to cosmetics, Dr. Tidmarsh noted that its safety classification remains largely unchanged from a time when toxicology and epidemiological methods were far more limited than they are today.

With cancer litigation ongoing and talc’s negative side effects continuing to make headlines, the lack of FDA reassessment is even more concerning. Dr. Tidmarsh explained that, while the agency continues to evaluate new chemicals for consumer use, “legacy” substances like talc often slip through the cracks. “FDA declared substances like talc were safe in the 1970s [and] never reexamined them.”

His message is clear: Nearly half a century later, it may be time for a comprehensive review of these assumptions.

Thank you to The Business of America for inviting Dr. Tidmarsh on to discuss this important topic. You can read more at RealClearPolitics.