Talcum powder contains talc as the core component, which is a soft mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate. Talcum powder helps absorb moisture and decrease the friction of the skin. For the last many decades, talcum powder has become the primary ingredient in baby powder, deodorant, and cosmetic products. It prevents skin rashes and irritation. Since over a century, Johnson and Johnson has been the most famous name as a talcum powder brand, a popular product for babies. Beyond that, men and women of all ages have been recorded to apply the baby powder routinely. Unfortunately, after a certain time, thousands of victims have filed a lawsuit against the brand as all of them developed mesothelioma and cancers in other body parts. With time and research, a direct link between talcum powder and cancer has been suspected and proven. Now, individuals who once used to apply talcum power and have suffered carcinogenic consequences are eligible to file a talcum powder lawsuit for compensation under certain criteria. People for Law, based in Florida, is your mass tort law firm, fighting against all injustice with sharp legal assistance.
Does Talcum Powder Cause Harm?
Talc dust can disturb lung functions. It may cause cough, chest pain, and breathlessness. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), pure talc is “probably carcinogenic.” As the organization claims, perineal use of pure talc has been recorded to cause ovarian cancer, though not to all. On the other hand, asbestos-contaminated talc is definitely cancerous.
A Study by the NIH put more than 50,000 women under observation who frequently applied talcum powder. According to IARC, talc holds the “second highest” cancer risk level. The report is based on the evidence of ovarian cancer in humans. Studies have found dangerous levels of asbestos-contaminated talc in some consumer and industrial products. Cosmetics with talc have directly exposed users to asbestos, increased the risk of asbestos contamination, and led to cancer contraction. Potential health risks of cancer include lung cancer, mesothelioma, talc pneumoconiosis, ovarian cancer, etc. After all these research and studies, parents should not use talcum powder for their babies as it’s been proven fatal.
Talcum Powder and Mesothelioma
Talcum powder containing asbestos may cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused cancers. On an alarming note, mesothelioma can be latent for upto 40-60 years and then show up. One carries the risk of developing cancer from exposure to contaminated talc, but chances differ. It depends on the duration, doses, and amount of exposure. The increased the dose is, the higher the risk. Long-term exposure to low-level asbestos concentrations causes cancer, and so does short term exposure to high level concentrations. Talc and asbestos are naturally so close that mining practices can not keep them separated.
A high level of contamination carries the risk of mesothelioma. The amount of asbestos varies as per the grade. It has been a challenging job for the manufacturers to find asbestos-free talc deposits. However, not all talcs contain asbestos, but most do. Talc deposits contain the toxic most forms of asbestos, like tremolite and anthophyllite. These are carcinogenic.
In 1976, the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrances Association (CTFA), which represents the cosmetic and personal care products industry, issued guidelines that all cosmetic products in the United States should be free from detectable amounts of asbestos. Victims have filed talcum powder lawsuits against the product manufacturers and sought the justice they deserve in the recent few years.
About the Exposure Risks of Asbestos in Talc Powder
Individuals are at risk of mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases from asbestos-based talcum powder. According to research by the Canadian Respiratory Journal, occupational exposure to talc particles (asbestos-containing and asbestos-free) increases the risk of lung cancer.
According to some studies, talc miners are comparatively more open to an increased risk of developing lung cancer and respiratory diseases. The jobs that expose the workers to the asbestos in talcum powder are – talc miners and millers, factory workers, paper mill workers, talc miners and millers, ceramic and plastic workers, hairdressers and barbers, among others. In addition, workers expose their family members to asbestos by bringing home the fibers in their clothes, hair, and skin. This kind of contamination is known as secondhand exposure or take-home exposure. Individuals who use contaminated talcum powder are more likely to breathe in or swallow asbestos fibers without their knowledge. The fibers enter the body and affect healthy tissue until they mutate and become cancerous.
People who regularly use talcum powder or baby powder as part of their daily hygiene routine are at high risk of developing mesothelioma. According to a research study by the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology in January 2023, talcum powder had been the only source of asbestos exposure for the majority of individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma.
As it’s mentioned before, it’s difficult to separate talc and asbestos due to their natural closeness. In 1969, in an unsealed litigation, Johnson and Johnson Company said that it was normal for tremolite asbestos to be in U.S. talc deposits. The company has spent more than a decade purchasing talc mines across the globe to find a pure talc source.
Final Reflections
Talcum powder manufacturers have been fighting lawsuits as their products have been found to be contaminated with asbestos. Still, they kept selling the products in stores and marketed those with safe guarantees for children. Johnson & Johnson has had the highest number of lawsuits against talcum powder, and most of them are linked to its iconic baby powder. As of January 2025, around 58,000 product liability lawsuits are pending against Johnson and Johnson.
Adults and kids who developed an asbestos-related ailment after being exposed to talc may meet the talcum powder lawsuit criteria. At People for Law, our team of attorneys is all set to take your deal in hand. We handle every part of a lawsuit so the victim can focus on health and family. We have helped a number of victims who have suffered due to someone else or some other party’s fault. Our attorneys help you prove your point and reach a fair settlement to compensate for all your losses. If you think you have fallen victim to a similar case, reach out to us to have a consultation on your case. We put our best efforts into fighting for your rights and bring the best outcome.