Does Baby Powder Cause Cancer?
Since investigations first revealed that Johnson & Johnson knew about potential asbestos contamination in its talcum powder, many have wondered, “Does baby powder cause cancer?”
To be clear, Johnson & Johnson baby powder may cause cancer according to the scientific evidence available.
The links between potentially asbestos-contaminated baby powder and cancer are increasingly clear. Here’s what we know about whether baby powder causes cancer:
Talcum Powder: What Is It?
Baby powder is made from talcum powder, which in turn is made from talc. Talc is the world’s softest mineral and is typically found in open-pit mines. Talc is actually a type of clay mineral, composed of hydrated magnesium silicate.
Due to its soft qualities, talc has traditionally been used by companies like Johnson & Johnson to manufacture baby powder, which is used to soften skin, prevent rash, and as part of feminine hygiene.
As early as the 1970s, executives at Johnson & Johnson raised alarm within the company that talcum powder used in Johnson & Johnson baby powder may be contaminated with potentially cancer-causing asbestos.
Asbestos in Baby Powder: What’s the Risk?
For decades, Johnson & Johnson executives have known about potential asbestos contamination in the company’s baby powder, meaning that Johnson & Johnson baby powder may cause cancer.
Asbestos in talc-based baby powder is especially alarming because asbestos can cause aggressive forms of cancer, including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.
As we examine the question, “Does baby powder cause cancer?”, let’s take a closer look at asbestos…
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a thin, fibrous material that occurs naturally, and throughout history has been used in building and other processes for its insulating properties. It is a known carcinogen, meaning that asbestos (such as the kind discovered in Johnson & Johnson baby powder) may cause cancer in humans.
Asbestos can break down into tiny, microscopic particles that may be breathed in by humans. Entering the lungs, asbestos particles can cause serious inflammation and other lung injuries, in many cases leading to mesothelioma cancer. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos can cause other types of cancer, including lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Types of Cancer Caused by Asbestos include:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Laryngeal cancer
- Ovarian cancer
It has been estimated that asbestos exposure accounts for 70-90 percent of pleural mesothelioma cancer cases in Europe and the United States.
Ovarian cancer is a significant potential risk associated with baby powder because many women have used talc-based products in the genital area for feminine hygiene.
Asbestos in Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and Cancer Risk
For decades, Johnson & Johnson has denied that its talc-based baby powder is contaminated with asbestos. However, it is well documented that since the 1970s, officials in the company have raised red flags that its talc may be contaminated with this cancer-causing substance.
A groundbreaking New York Times report revealed that in 1971, a Johnson & Johnson executive recommended that the company “upgrade” its talc supply due to concerns about asbestos. Two years later, another executive said that the company could no longer assume that its talc supply was free of asbestos.
In the decades since, scientists, doctors, and patients have wondered, “Does Johnson & Johnson baby powder cause cancer?”
Despite repeated company denials, in 2019 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that asbestos was found in Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The company issued a voluntary baby powder recall.
Today, the company faces more than 16,000 lawsuits alleging that its baby powder causes cancer, including ovarian cancer, endometrial ovarian cancer, and mesothelioma.
Verdicts totaling more than $2 billion have been handed down against Johnson & Johnson and additional settlements and verdicts are expected. In 2020, a federal judge ruled that scientists can testify that Johnson & Johnson baby powder may cause cancer.
If you believe Johnson & Johnson baby powder caused your ovarian cancer or endometroid ovarian cancer, please call 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE claim investigation. Those diagnosed with cancer due to potential asbestos contamination in baby powder may be entitled to significant financial compensation.
IMPORTANT: As of August 2023, we can no longer accept claims involving mesothelioma potentially linked to talcum powder, only those involving ovarian cancer or endometrial ovarian cases, due to developments in this litigation.
So… Does Baby Powder Cause Cancer?
Here are the facts:
- Asbestos is a known cancer-causing substance
- Asbestos has been found in Johnson & Johnson talc-based baby powder
Based on the scientific evidence available, it may be reasonably concluded that Johnson & Johnson baby powder may cause cancer.
In the months and years ahead, juries will have an opportunity to answer the question “Does baby powder cause cancer?” as well. Potential settlements and verdicts may be worth millions of dollars.
In May 2020, Johnson & Johnson announced that it was pulling its baby powder products from the North American market. The company cited logistics issues and declining demand, but also noted that “misinformation around the safety of the product and a constant barrage of litigation advertising” had presented challenges.
Have you been diagnosed with cancer after using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder?
If you’ve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or endometrial ovarian cancer after prolonged exposure to Johnson & Johnson talc-based baby powder, you may qualify for a baby powder cancer lawsuit and be entitled to significant compensation.
For a FREE consultation with a product liability attorney handling baby powder cancer claims, please call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the short form below.
IMPORTANT: As of August 2023, we can no longer accept claims involving mesothelioma potentially linked to talcum powder, only those involving ovarian cancer or endometrial ovarian cases, due to developments in this litigation.
There is no obligation and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive financial compensation.
Please call 1-800-525-7111 today and let’s review your potential baby powder cancer claim.
Our team of injury lawyers is led by Gene Riddle, managing partner and award-winning attorney (see disclaimer below). Gene has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Super Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Additionally, he maintains a AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is the recipient of the 2014 Litigator Award (see disclaimer below).
We’re proud of the results we’ve obtained for our deserving clients, and are especially humbled by the words our clients use to describe working with our attorneys and staff.
For a FREE consultation with a talcum powder lawyer handling Johnson & Johnson baby powder cancer claims, please call 1-800-525-7111.
There is absolutely no obligation and you’ll only pay attorney fees if we recover compensation for you.
We believe Justice Counts for victims of dangerous products and if Johnson & Johnson baby powder caused your cancer, we will fight to hold the manufacturer accountable.
Please call 1-800-525-7111 today for a FREE, no-obligation case review.
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.
*** Disclaimer: An attorney must meet certain requirements to join these organizations or receive these awards. For more information on Membership Criteria for Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, and the Litigator Award, please visit our Membership Criteria page. These awards and memberships should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of a similar result. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.
Facing more than 20,000 lawsuits alleging that its talc-based products cause cancer, Johnson & Johnson has announced that it will stop selling baby powder in North America. Our attorneys are actively inv…