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We are pleased to announce that the full Volume 136 of the IARC Monographs is now available online. This volume comprises two monographs: talc and acrylonitrile. In response to public health demand, the monograph on talc was first released in advance on 30 June 2025. Acrylonitrile is a high-production-volume chemical primarily used as a monomer to prepare polymers for the manufacture of fibres for textiles, clothing and carpets, resins, synthetic rubber, and plastics. Occupational exposure occurs mainly in production settings, primarily through inhalation and dermal routes. In the general population, the primary source of exposure is tobacco smoke. Talc was defined as either mineral or synthetic talc, a hydrated magnesium silicate, and occurs in both lamellar and fibrous (which includes asbestiform) forms. Asbestiform talc is not asbestos; however, asbestos occurs in some talc deposits and has been found as a contaminant in some talc products. Talc is a mineral with a high production volume and has widespread industrial and commercial uses, including in plastics, ceramics, paint, paper, roofing materials, rubber products, animal feed, food, fertilizers, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. It is also used in clinical settings for pleurodesis. Occupational exposure to talc dust occurs primarily during mining and milling, predominantly via inhalation, although workers in downstream industries can also be exposed. In the general population, exposure occurs mainly through the use of talc-based consumer products (such as body powders). Pathways of exposure include ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, including perineal application. The Working Group evaluated acrylonitrile as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) on the basis of sufficient evidence for cancer in humans. There was also sufficient evidence for cancer in experimental animals, and strong mechanistic evidence that acrylonitrile exhibits key characteristics of carcinogens in experimental systems. Talc was evaluated as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A) on the basis of the combinations of limited evidence for cancer in humans, sufficient evidence in experimental animals, and strong mechanistic evidence in human primary cells and experimental systems. This evaluation for talc supersedes the previous classifications of “talc not containing asbestos or asbestiform fibres” and “perineal use of talc-based body powder”. “Talc containing asbestos” was not re-evaluated and retains its classification in Group 1, within “Asbestos”.
