FDA Halts Proposed Talc Asbestos Testing Rule: What Consumers Need to Know
For decades, medical and legal experts have known that long-term asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer most commonly affecting the lining of the lungs or abdomen. What many consumers don’t realize is that asbestos exposure has not been limited to industrial settings—it has also been linked to talc-based consumer products, including cosmetic and baby powders.
Internal documents and testing records have shown that certain talc products, including Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder, contained trace amounts of asbestos as early as the 1950s. Despite this knowledge, talc-based powders were widely marketed for daily use for decades.
Why Talc Can Contain Asbestos
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral mined from the earth. Unfortunately, talc deposits are often found near asbestos deposits. When talc is mined and processed, asbestos fibers can be unintentionally—or negligently—introduced into the final product.
Once ground into powder, contaminated talc can release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air, where they may be inhaled or ingested over time. Medical research has consistently shown that no level of asbestos exposure is considered safe.
People who used talc-based powders regularly for years—or who worked in environments where talc was frequently applied—may face increased risk. This includes barbers, hairdressers, childcare workers, and individuals who used talcum powder daily as part of personal hygiene routines.
FDA Steps Back from Proposed Testing Rule
In response to mounting evidence linking talc-based products to cancer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration previously proposed a rule that would have required cosmetic manufacturers to test talc products for asbestos before they reached consumers.
That proposed rule has now been withdrawn.
As a result, manufacturers are not currently required to conduct standardized asbestos testing on talc-containing cosmetics or powders. For consumers, this creates uncertainty—and eliminates an important layer of oversight intended to reduce exposure to a known carcinogen.
What This Means for Consumers
Asbestos has been banned or heavily restricted in more than 50 countries worldwide. In the United States, however, regulatory gaps remain.
Johnson & Johnson discontinued sales of talc-based baby powder in North America in 2020 amid widespread public concern and tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging cancer linked to long-term talc use. Despite this, many talc-containing products remain on the market today.
Without mandatory testing requirements, consumers have no reliable way to determine whether a talc-based product is free from asbestos contamination.
Legal Options for Those Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease after long-term use of talc-based products, legal options may be available.
For decades, Madeksho Law has represented individuals and families harmed by asbestos exposure. Our firm understands the medical, financial, and emotional toll these diagnoses can take—and we are committed to helping clients pursue accountability and compensation.
Since 1972, Madeksho Law has recovered more than $400 million for asbestos victims and their families nationwide.
📞 Call 888-910-MESO (6376) or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
