Your Baby Powder May Have Been Killing You…
by November 30, 2022
Johnson & Johnson is a multinational corporation that produces a wide range of consumer healthcare products. Among these products is talcum powder, which has been marketed for decades as a safe and effective way to prevent rashes and keep skin dry. However, recent lawsuits have revealed that Johnson & Johnson knew for years that their talcum powder contained asbestos, a dangerous mineral that can cause cancer and other health problems.
The timeline of events leading up to this revelation is both disturbing and revealing. In 1971, a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the British Commonwealth found that talc particles from Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder had been discovered in the ovaries and cervical tissues of women with ovarian cancer. Despite this finding, Johnson & Johnson continued to market their talcum powder as safe and effective.
Over the years, numerous studies have confirmed the link between talcum powder and cancer. In 2018, a Reuters investigation revealed that Johnson & Johnson had known for decades that their talcum powder contained asbestos, a known carcinogen. Internal company documents from as far back as the 1970s showed that Johnson & Johnson had tested their talcum powder for asbestos and found it to be present, but chose not to disclose this information to the public or regulators.
Asbestos poisoning can have serious health consequences. Asbestos fibers are small and sharp, and when inhaled or ingested, they can become lodged in the lungs or other organs. Over time, these fibers can cause inflammation and scarring, leading to diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Ingesting asbestos can also cause gastrointestinal cancer and other health problems.
The lawsuits resulting from Johnson & Johnson’s knowledge of the asbestos in their talcum powder have been numerous and high-profile. In 2018, a jury in Missouri awarded $4.7 billion to 22 women who claimed that Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder caused their ovarian cancer. In 2019, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a woman who claimed that the company’s talcum powder had caused her mesothelioma.
The average talcum powder settlement varies depending on the severity of the plaintiff’s illness, the amount of evidence linking the illness to talcum powder use, and other factors. However, settlements in talcum powder lawsuits have ranged from thousands to millions of dollars. To qualify for a talcum powder lawsuit, a person must have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness and must have used Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder regularly.
Johnson & Johnson’s knowledge of the asbestos in their talcum powder and their failure to warn consumers of the risks is a disturbing example of corporate negligence. The lawsuits resulting from this revelation have helped to bring attention to the dangers of talcum powder and have provided compensation to those who have been affected by its use. However, it is important for companies to prioritize the health and safety of their consumers, rather than profits and reputation, in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Have you been exposed to talcum powder and think you may have health issues because of it?
