Snehalaya Scents

Launching Snehalaya Scents, a talc-free powder

As part of her visits to India, our Snehalaya UK trustee, Caroline has always been concerned about the powder our women and children use. This is based on her personal experience of losing her friend Nicky to cancer which has been attributed to her lifelong use of talcum powder. Caroline explains why she is so passionate about finding alternatives for our residents and the wider Indian community.

“Around May 2024, my good friend Nicky (aged 57) started experiencing stomach pains.  After visiting the doctor and having many tests, the pains were diagnosed as an extremely rare and potentially fatal cancer called Mesothelioma.  This cancer is only caused by the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibres. Nicky was not aware she had ever been exposed to asbestos and it would be extremely rare for a person from her background to have ever been in this situation.

“On further investigation it was discovered the only exposure she had had was by using Talcum Powder.  Up until this point, no-one I knew was aware of the link between this baby powder, which we used on our babies and children, had any link to causing a lethal cancer.

“Nicky had continued to use Talcum Powder well into her teens and it was the only possible cause of this cancer.  It was aggressively attacking the thin membranes lining her abdomen and reproductive organs.

“Over the next months, she continued to get more ill.  It was agreed that she needed urgent surgery to remove her reproductive organs and the particular lining of her abdomen.  It was agreed she needed chemotherapy first, but unfortunately this had little effect in trying to slow down this fast-moving cancer.  She was becoming more and more weak.  In September 2024, she underwent major surgery.  She did wake from the surgery but her body was so weak from the cancer and surgery she sadly died on the 10 October 2024.  She had left her two daughters without a mother.  This could have been preventable.”

Some manufacturers have been aware that their talc products have been contaminated with asbestos since the 1960’s.  But, for example, Johnson and Johnson only changed their products replacing talc with cornstarch globally in 2023.  They are facing over 60,000 lawsuits alleging their talc-based baby powder contained asbestos causing ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.  They continue to maintain their products are safe but juries have so far awarded billions in damages.

Distressingly, talc-based products remain on the shelves in India. The only body powder that is safe to use from any brand must be talc free. In other countries, it is now rebranded as body powder and talc has been replaced with safer options such as cornstarch.

During her current visit, Caroline and fellow Snehalaya UK volunteer, Joyce found instructions on how to make alternative powder for use by our residents. They created a prototype with cornstarch and baking powder with essential oils providing scent. The resulting powder was actually smoother than the UK talc-free powder Caroline had been using and the baking powder acts as a natural deodorant. They decanted the talc from the stock of powder that was held in our store, filling it with our natural alternative, branding it as Snehalaya Scents.

Snehalaya Scents was launched during our State-Level Stalking Conference on 14 February, with samples given to our chief guests including National Commission for Women Chair, Vijaya Rahatkar. We also handed a letter to the National Chair asking for current talcs available in India to be issued with a health warning on the dangers of cancer with a follow up request for a total ban on talc-based products. Attendees of the conference and Snehalaya staff and supporters also signed a petition for the same.

Our powder product is very simple to make at home and we would encourage our extended family to replace their current talc with this much safer option. Alternatively you can pick up Snehalaya Scents next time you visit our Rehab Center.

How to make talc-free powder

Ingredients

Four parts cornstarch

One part baking powder

Essential oils, a few drops or more for a stronger scent

Mix all the ingredients together with a whisk until there are no lumps. Add as much or as little essential oil as you prefer.

Your powder is ready!