In recent studies, products that contain talcum powder from companies like Johnson & Johnson were associated with cancer cases.
Talcum powder has ties to ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers.
Given the studies and lawsuits, there have been concerns over the public usage of talcum powder. Johnson & Johnson, for its part, is defending against more than 19,400 cases alone.
Therefore, Johnson & Johnson decided to discontinue the sales of its baby powder products in the US and Canada.
The following post will discuss what makes talcum powder so dangerous and which manufacturers are to be avoided.
What Is Talcum Powder?
Talcum powder is a product made of talc, a mineral commonly used in items like baby powder, eye shadow, face powder, and other cosmetic powders. Talc that contains asbestos is generally seen as causing cancer of the lung in those who inhale its asbestos particles.
Some manufacturers will designate their products as tested and certified as asbestos-free talc. However, it is suggested that people still avoid using talcum powder products on their pelvic areas even if they are certified asbestos-free.
The demographic most vulnerable to issues relating to talcum powder are women, infants, children, talc miners, millers, and processors of talc. Consumers need to be aware of which products may have asbestos contamination.
Does Talcum Powder Cause Cancer?
Talcum powder alone doesn’t cause cancer. It’s the talcum powder contaminated by asbestos that does. Studies have indicated that asbestos is cancer-causing, specifically around the lungs when it is inhaled.
Talc and asbestos are naturally occurring minerals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have classified asbestos as a cancer-causing mineral.
According to studies, exposure to asbestos causes:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung Cancer
- Larynx
- Ovary
Mesothelioma
The most common form of cancer resulting from asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, a type of cancer that attacks the thin layer of tissue covering your internal organs.
Those at risk of developing mesothelioma include people who have worked or lived in places contaminated by asbestos.
Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or a combination of any two of these treatment types.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a form of cancer that starts in your lungs. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Most people who have lung cancer are smokers. Yet, there are some cases of lung cancer among people exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos-related lung cancer results from individuals inhaling asbestos. Additionally, people exposed to asbestos risk getting diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which is a type of cancer that originates within the lung’s lining.
Larynx Cancer
Larynx (known as the voice box or Adam’s apple) or Laryngeal cancer is a type of cancer in which malignant cells develop within the tissues of the larynx. This type of cancer forms in tandem with drinking and smoking.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer forms in the ovaries, which are the reproductive organs within the pelvis on each side of the uterus. These include ovarian tumors.
Asbestos reaches the ovaries when women apply contaminated talcum powder to their perineal (genital) region.
According to studies, women who used talc regularly in their genital region had a 33% increase in ovarian cancer risk overall. Talc exposure, in many cases, has caused irreparable health consequences.
In this study, the National Institutes of Health compared 2,041 women residing in Massachusetts and New Hampshire who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, with 1,578 women who were the same age and lived in the same geographic location who did not have cancer.
Their studies concluded that women who used talc powder in their genital region were substantially more likely to be diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer.
Talcum Powder Cases
Over the years, many talcum powder cases have been awarded to plaintiffs for their various injuries.
Taking a look back at noteworthy talcum case settlements, we’ve seen many families win their cases. Here are a few examples:
- New Jersey talc case: In February 2020, Johnson & Johnson received orders to pay punitive damages of $750 million to four plaintiffs. The plaintiffs alleged that the company’s Baby Powder caused their cancer.
- Ingham case: 22 plaintiffs claimed that asbestos-contaminated Baby Powder and Shower to Shower talc (a brand sold by the company) caused ovarian cancer. The jury awarded them $4.69 billion in damages. A majority of the talc cases involved women who regularly used Johnson & Johnson talc products as a perineal antiperspirant and deodorant.
- Lanzo case: In April 2018, Stephen and his wife Kendra Lanzo were awarded 37 million dollars for disability, impairments, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering. The New Jersey court found Johnson & Johnson and Imerys Talc America liable for damages as the plaintiffs used both of their products containing talc.
Talcum Powder Manufacturers
Three key companies produce talcum powder-based products. The three companies are:
- Johnson & Johnson: As one of the premier manufacturers of talc-based products, the company has come under a lot of scrutiny. They were the first company to put talcum powder on grocery shelves back in the late 19th century. Once the company discovered that people used its product to treat diaper rash, they rebranded the talcum powder to Toilet and Baby Powder. As mentioned, there are several thousand cases against Johnson & Johnson alleging their products caused asbestos-related cancers.
- Imerys Talc Supplier: This company produces more talc than any other company on the list. Though they do supply baby powder, they also manufacture paint, rubber, ceramics, and other products. They have also been named in several lawsuits for people who have contracted mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, or suffered other health consequences as a result of talc inhalation.
- Colgate-Palmolive Company: This company manufactures Cashmere Bouquet, a personal hygiene product containing talcum powder. This product has been linked to mesothelioma in some users. In 2015, Colgate was ordered to pay $13 million to a woman who contracted mesothelioma after using the product.
These are the main three companies that produce talcum powder in the United States, though there are other producers.
If you are worried about asbestos exposure, the best course of action is to stop using these products, especially in the perineal region.
