Does Talc Cause Lung Cancer?

With lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson heating up, many potentially affected by asbestos-contaminated baby powder are asking: “Does talc cause lung cancer?”

The chance of a man developing lung cancer in his lifetime is about 1 in 15. For a woman, the risk is around 1 in 17. If you are a smoker, the risk of lung cancer is much higher.

No increased risk of lung cancer has been found from the use of cosmetic talcum powder. However, some studies of talc miners and millers suggest these people have a higher risk of respiratory diseases as well as lung cancer from their exposure to industrial grade talc.

IMPORTANT: As of August 2023, we can no longer accept claims involving lung cancer or mesothelioma potentially linked to talcum powder, only those involving ovarian cancer or endometrial ovarian cases, due to developments in this litigation. 

For a FREE, no-obligation consultation, please call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the fast and easy form below.

The consultation is free and you won’t ever pay any attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive financial compensation in your Johnson & Johnson baby powder cancer lawsuit or claim.

Justice Counts and we are ready to help however we can. If you believe exposure to talc caused your lung cancer (or other type of cancer), please call 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE case review.

So, can talcum powder cause lung cancer?

When you inhale fine talc particles, these particles can get lodged inside of the lungs. Over time there is a cumulative effect associated with this. Inhaling talc may cause lung cancer and/or the following:

• difficulty breathing
• decreased lung function
• pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs)
• other lung and respiratory complications

What is talc?

Talcum powder is made from a clay mineral called talc. In its natural form, talc may contain asbestos. In 1976, The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA) issued guidelines stating all cosmetics as well as personal care products in the United States that contain talc should be free of detectable amounts of asbestos.

By law, all home-use talcum products (baby powder, body powder and facial powders) must be free of asbestos. Exposure to any amount of this mineral can cause asbestos-related diseases, potentially including lung cancer.

Different grades of talc may contain varying amounts of asbestos. There are some instances of asbestos-containing talc making its way into the market. In October 2019, Johnson & Johnson issued its first-ever baby powder recall after the FDA found trace amounts of asbestos in certain lots of the product.

According to a report:

“The International Agency for the Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified asbestos-containing talc as carcinogenic to humans and there are regulations in place by the FDA to prevent contaminated products from reaching the marketplace.”

Despite these laws, some talc products, like Johnson & Johnson baby powder, have been found to contain trace amounts of asbestos.

Who is at the highest risk for developing lung cancer?

• People ages 55 to 77 (Most people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older. The average age being 70)
• People with a history of smoking cigarettes
• Current cigarette smokers, or people who have quit within the last 15 years (More than 90 percent of lung cancers are thought to be the result of smoking)
• Those exposed to secondhand smoke
• Those who smoke marijuana
• Those with recurring lung inflammation from certain conditions such as pneumonia and tuberculosis
• People who have been exposed to asbestos (potentially present in contaminated talc-based baby powder)
• People exposed to cancer-causing agents
• Individuals with a family history of lung cancer
• Those exposed to elevated levels of air pollution
• Those exposed to radon

This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

If you meet any of the above criteria, consider talking with your doctor about a potential lung cancer screening.

Why is Talc Harmful?

Talc is a naturally occurring clay mineral mined from the earth. In its natural form, some talc contains asbestos — a substance known to cause cancer, including lung cancer. Talc mined for commercial uses can be contaminated with asbestos, which is a known cause of lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Talc is found in a wide range of products, including talcum powder (baby powder), feminine hygiene products, makeup, deodorant, and lotions. The FDA continually updates its safety alerts with new and important information when it is available.

Talcum powder is known for its odor and moisture-absorbing properties. Some women use it in their genital area, where it can travel to the ovaries and cause cancer.

Researchers believe the talc causes cancer by traveling through the reproductive system and provoking chronic inflammation of the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries as well as potentially suppressing cancer-fighting antibodies. Diagnoses of cancer (including, potentially, lung cancer) are often made after decades of using talc-containing products.

Does Talc Cause Lung Cancer?

The simplest answer is that current research suggests that talc and talc-based products like Johnson & Johnson baby powder may cause lung cancer, along with other dangerous cancers like ovarian cancer, endometrial ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and mesothelioma.

IMPORTANT: As of August 2023, we can no longer accept claims involving lung cancer or mesothelioma potentially linked to talcum powder, only those involving ovarian cancer or endometrial ovarian cases, due to developments in this litigation. 

If talc caused your lung cancer, you may be entitled to compensation and now is the time to have your claim investigated.

Call 1-800-525-7111 today and let’s review your potential talcum powder lung cancer claim.

Justice Counts for those who have suffered from lung cancer or other forms of cancer potentially due to talc-based baby powder and other talc-containing products.

Why Riddle & Brantley for your talcum powder lawsuit or claim?

Our experienced talcum powder lawyers have been fighting for victims of potentially dangerous products for more than three decades. Our attorneys have more than 220+ years of combined legal experience, and collectively we’ve secured millions of dollars in compensation for our deserving clients (see disclaimer below).

• “They turned a heartbreaking situation completely around.” –Tyronnie T.
• “They made a hard time in my life easier to endure.” -Melissa C.
• “This settlement changed me and my family’s lives.” –Linda B.

Our team is led by attorney Gene Riddle, who has been fighting for victims of dangerous products and negligence since 1985. Gene is the recipient of many honors and memberships from such prestigious organizations as:

• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
• The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
• Super Lawyers
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum

He is also the recipient of the top-tier AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubble and the 2014 Litigator Award (see disclaimer below).

For a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced talcum powder cancer lawyer, please call 1-800-525-7111.

If you believe your lung cancer (or other cancer like mesothelioma or ovarian cancer) was caused by talc or exposure to asbestos, we will review your claim for free and advise you on your best available legal options.

Please call 1-800-525-7111 today to review your potential baby powder cancer claim.

Justice Counts for those injured due to potentially dangerous products like asbestos-contaminated talc, and we are ready to help however we can.