27 Environmental Geochemistry and Health (Posters)

We invite presentations on the environmental fate of contaminants and their impact on human and environmental health. Transdisciplinary contributions are encouraged, especially those examining the rock-soil-water-human nexus at all scales with strong public outreach or societal impact.

Sunday, 19 October 2025
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, Hall 1

Chemical and Morphological Investigation of Talc Samples from the Argonaut Mine, Vermont, USA.

Paper number: 27-13
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

Historically, talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2) is a constituent of several commercial personal care products (e.g., baby powder, powder makeup, antiperspirants), and the Argonaut Talc Mine in Ludlow, Vermont, served as a source for such products. Given the known association of asbestiform minerals in talc-based products and due to the widespread commercial use of such products, asbestos contamination receives notably more attention than other hazardous minerals. Asbestos is recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is classified as “carcinogenic to humans.” Talc itself has recently been recognized as a Type 2A carcinogen by IARC, meaning it is categorized as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. Consequently, the potential occurrence of other asbestos minerals (e.g., tremolite, chrysotile, and actinolite) and elements (e.g., Cr, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn) that are potentially of human health concerns in talc-based consumer products is of high interest. The geochemistry of talc ores and products is comparatively less understood than aspects of asbestos and talc. This study investigates replicates of a single talc sample from the Argonaut Talc Mine to assess if elements and minerals of concern were present. High resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) revealed the presence and concentration ranges of trace metals Cr (9.9 ppm to 16.7 ppm), Ni (2149.5 ppm to 2265.3 ppm), Co (83.4 ppm to 85.8 ppm), Pb (2.2 ppm to 2.5 ppm), and Zn (159.7 ppm to 1141.0 ppm). Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) documented a variety of textures and mineral inclusions. Platy talc was common; however, broken fibers of talc were observed in some cases. Discrete Fe-Ni-sulfides were observed in talc with diameters of approximately 2 μm. Additionally, trace amounts of gold were detected in multiple examples, with particles being anhedral to subhedral and diameters ranging from 0.5 μm to 4 μm. Results show that the Argonaut-sourced sample contains elevated levels of Ni, Cr, and Co. HR-ICP-MS and SEM indicate that Argonaut Talc samples are mineralogically complex and may provide context for future human health studies relating to talc and understanding the sources of talc products. 

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-412862

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