TALCUM POWDER, ASBESTOS, AND OVARIAN CANCER LAWSUIT WHITEPAPER
What are the Qualities of Talcum Powder?
Talcum powder is a natural mineral used in many products such as cosmetics, deodorants, and baby powder. It is used because it can absorb moisture and cut down on friction keeping skin dry.
It is now suspected that talcum powder may contain traces of asbestos, particularly in cosmetics. Asbestos is classified as a human carcinogen, which is known to cause cancer.
Talcum Powder Found in Cosmetics
In September 2018, AMA was awarded a one-year contract to test talc-containing cosmetics for the presence of asbestos fibers. Soon after, the FDA updated the Safety Alert and issued a warning not to use talcum powder that tested positive for asbestos.
In October 2019, Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled one lot of baby powder, after a sample tested positive for asbestos. The recalled product Johnson’s Baby Powder Lot #22318RB
In February 2020, the FDA held a public meeting on testing methods for asbestos and products containing talc.
In March 2020, the FDA issued a new Constituent Update and FDA In Brief on the release of results from FDA’s sampling assignment with AMA Analytical Services, Inc. (AMA) testing talc-containing cosmetic products for the presence of asbestos.
In May 2020, Johnson & Johnson announced that they will stop selling their talcum powder-based baby powder products from the United States and Canada markets.
Talcum Powder Associated Injuries
Reported injuries from using talcum powder include:
- Ovarian Cancer
- Fallopian Tube Cancer
- Endometrial Cancer
- Mesothelioma
Talcum Powder Status of Litigation
Cases have been consolidated in the District of New Jersey before the Hon. Freda L. Wolfson.
Talcum Powder Verdicts and settlements
Plaintiff verdicts for talc/mesothelioma cases: $26.5M (2021), $37.2M (2019), $117M (2018), $22M (2017), $18M (2016), $13M (2015).
Plaintiff verdicts for talc/ovarian cancer cases: $4.69B (2018), $417M (2017), $110M (2017), $72M (2016), $70M 2016).
In October 2020, J&J agreed to pay about $100M to settlement more than 1,000 cases.
Talcum Powder Manufacturer
Johnson & Johnson is currently the main manufacturer involved in the talcum powder lawsuit