Talcum powder, commonly known as baby powder, is a product that
absorbs moisture, prevents rashes and skin irritations, and keeps skin
dry. Safe enough to use on delicate
newborn skin, talcum powder has been a household staple for decades and many
women have been using it for years for feminine hygiene. However, studies have
shown that talc can contain trace amounts of asbestos fibers and could be the
cause of ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. This has led to multiple lawsuits
against the health giant Johnson & Johnson, the makers of the most popular
brand of baby powder.
Talc is a naturally occurring clay mineral that is typically
mined, crushed, and combined with cornstarch to create baby powder. It’s used
in numerous industries, including pharmaceutical, cosmetic, paper making,
plastic, and ceramics. Talc can become contaminated with asbestos – a known
carcinogen – when it is mined, as asbestos is often within close proximity to
the mineral.
Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a
rare cancer that is founding the lining of the heart, abdomen, internal
reproductive organs, and most commonly the lungs. Typically affecting men who
worked in the steel or chemical industry, and in other industrial and
construction trades, this aggressive cancer does not surface or show symptoms
until decades after initial exposure. Lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers
and companies surfaced in the 1970s when these companies were forced to admit that
not only did they know about the dangers of asbestos, but that they actively
withheld, downplayed, and ignored the issue.
The latest lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson claim that
the health giant knew that their product contained trace amounts of asbestos
fibers, but continued to market the product as perfectly safe. These claims,
mostly from women, allege that after decades of using baby powder as part of
their daily hygienic routine, they are now suffering from mesothelioma.
Talcum Powder and
Ovarian Cancer
Since 2016, Johnson & Johnson has been involved in thousands
of lawsuits resulting in millions of dollars in settlements after claims
made against the company allege the company knew their product could cause
ovarian cancer but chose to not inform consumers of the risk. The link between
talcum powder and ovarian cancer dates back to the 1970s when a series of
studies determined that women who frequently used talcum powder for feminine
hygiene were 33 percent more likely to increase their risk of ovarian cancer.
The powder could potentially move through the fallopian tubes and play a role
in causing ovarian tumors. Some experts believe that Johnson & Johnson has
known about the potential health risks since 1982
Under Criminal
Investigation
Reports and internal documents spanning between the early
1970s to the 2000s show that testing done on Johnson & Johnson’s raw talc
and finished powdered products showed trace amounts of asbestos fibers. However,
Johnson & Johnson maintains their innocence and states that documents publicly
available on their website prove that their product not only does not contain
asbestos, but also doesn’t cause cancer. Yet a recent ruling in favor of a woman who
developed mesothelioma using Johnson & Johnson baby powder for decades
claim that the health giant altered its testing methods so that the trace
amount of asbestos fibers initially discovered, were no longer evident and
therefore misleading. Additional independent expert studies using different
testing methods have found that the product does still contain asbestos fibers.
The U.S Justice department is now conducting a criminal investigation against
Johnson & Johnson to determine if the company knew that their product
contained asbestos, but chose withhold and deny this information which subsequently
put the public at risk for asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, and ovarian cancer.
Source:
Jef Feely, “J&J Denials of Asbestos in Baby Powder Spur
Criminal Probe,” Bloomberg News (July 12, 2019). [Link]