- The chemical formula for talc is H2Mg3(SiO3)4 or Mg3Si4O10(OH)2. It is made from hydrated magnesium silicate.
- It's soft. It can be easily scratched with a fingernail, and its softness defines the lowest level (1) of the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
- The word talc derives from Latin, and the Latin word derived ultimately from the Persian word for this type of mineral.
- The world's biggest supplier of talc is a company based in France called the Luzenac Group, which produces 400,000 tonnes of talc per year, 8% of the world's production.
- Talc is not soluble in Water, but is slightly soluble in dilute mineral acids.
- We know it mainly as stuff to apply after a bath, but it has any number of other uses. It is used in the manufacture of Paper, paint, Crayons, electric cables, ceramics, and laboratory table tops.
- It is used to coat the insides of inner tubes and rubber gloves during manufacture to keep the surfaces from sticking.
- Most tailor's chalk, or French chalk, is actually talc.
- In the European Union, the additive number of talc is E553b.
- A word of caution. Some believe (and have sued talc producing companies accordingly) that using talc can cause cancer, although so far, no studies have completely proved it. Injecting drug users can get pulmonary talcosis, an inflammation in the lungs, as it is sometimes added to illegal heroin.
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