NOT IN DEMAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1946, Page 9

NOT IN DEMAND

' MOTHERS AVOID USE OF TALCUM POWDER SUBSTITUTES PURCHASED Though more than three months have passed since infected talcum powder caused the deaths of several babies, mothers are still apprehensive concerning its use. A leading Greymouth chemist said this morning that his present sales of talcum powder averaged only 10 per cent, of his turnover before the June tragedies. In answer to an inquiry, another chemist stated that all Greymouth stocks of talcum powder of the brands that had been found to be infected with tetanus, had been withdrawn. Since then, however, other brands which had been tested and considered not harmful had come to hand, but there was a negligible public demand. All talcum powders now distributed for sale, he added, had first to be sterilised. A few local housewives, reassured by the official attempts to eliminate the danger, have recommenced buying well-known brands of talcum powder, but mainly for personal use. Ninety per cent, of former talcum powder customers, however, stated the chemist, now obtain supplies ol zinc, starch and boracic, with which they make a substitute.