The record
IARC classifies talc in Group 2A, 'probably carcinogenic to humans', based on Monograph Volume 136 with an evaluation year of 2024.
Claim scope
The current IARC classification, read directly from the IARC Monographs classification record (not press coverage). Volume 136 is the operative volume; the working group met in 2024 and the volume was published online in 2025. IARC's own scope note on the entry: 'The term "Talc" includes "Talc containing asbestiform fibres other than asbestos" and "Talc not containing asbestiform fibres", which were evaluated separately in Volume 93.'
What this source does not establish
CRITICAL DISTINCTION: Group 2A talc is NOT the same agent as asbestos-contaminated talc. IARC maintains SEPARATE entries: 'Talc containing asbestos (see Asbestos)' — Volumes 93, Sup 7, 100C, year 2012, evaluation year 2009 — which is routed to the asbestos entry (Group 1). A page sentence conflating the two would be wrong in the direction that matters. Also note the historical entry 'Talc-based body powder (perineal use of) (see Talc)', Volume 93, year 2010, evaluation year 2006, which was the Group 2B perineal-use classification now folded into the Volume 136 talc evaluation. Group 2A is a HAZARD classification, not a risk estimate; it says nothing about exposure levels or probability of harm at consumer doses.
Limitations
Cite the monograph/classification record, not press coverage. The 2A upgrade is contested in the peer-reviewed literature — see the next finding. Note the classification list is the authoritative index; the full Volume 136 text was not retrieved in this pass (publications.iarc.who.int was not reachable), so claims about IARC's specific reasoning should be sourced to Volume 136 itself before publication.
Source
Gov Report — IARC Monographs, List of Classifications: agent 'Talc', CAS 14807-96-6, Group 2A, Volumes 42, Sup 7, 93, 136; year 2025 online, year of evaluation 2024