Why Are Companies Still Selling Cancer-Causing Talcum Powder?
You may have heard about the thousands of lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and their toxic talcum powder. Since the 1980's, consumer advocacy groups have warned that asbestos could contaminate talc, causing cancer in consumers who inhaled talcum powder or applied it in sensitive areas. However, Johnson & Johnson always dismissed these concerns as baseless.
The Talcum Powder Investigations
Then in December of 2018, investigations by the New York Times and Reuters revealed that Johnson & Johnson has known about possible asbestos contamination in its products for decades. Now, the company faces tens of thousands of talc-related lawsuits and claims that its products cause ovarian cancer and other reproductive-related cancers. The natural question is why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration still allows companies to make and sell talcum powder if it can cause cancer?
Why Are Companies Still Selling Talc?
For many years, companies like Johnson & Johnson claimed tests on its talcum powder showing asbestos contamination were wrong or shoddily performed. But in 2018, two separate investigations by the
New York Times
and
Reuters
revealed that Johnson & Johnson had known about potential asbestos contamination in its talc products for decades. Now, Johnson & Johnson faces nearly 35,000 talc-related lawsuits from women with ovarian and other reproductive cancers.In the last three years, juries in Missouri and California have ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay nearly
$3 billion
in damages to claimants. As a result, Johnson & Johnson announced that it will no longer sell talcum-based products in the U.S. because of asbestos-contamination concerns, moving to cornstarch-based products. It’s nice to think that J&J pulled these products from the market out of concern for women’s health, but it seems more likely the company was motivated by avoiding future lawsuits.
FDA Action?
Aside from Johnson & Johnson, companies continue to manufacture and sell products containing talc. Since the 1970's, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has downplayed the impact that asbestos-contaminated talc could have on women’s health. The agency has often deferred to industry representatives as experts on the safety of talc. But even now, the agency insists it can keep consumers safe with more rigorous testing to ensure talc used in consumer products is asbestos-free.
Seek Experienced Legal Guidance
If you believe that using talcum powder injured you or someone you love, call the Madeksho Law Firm at 1-888-910-6376 or contact us through our online form. Your initial consultation is free, and you never pay a fee unless we recover money on your behalf.
