Baby powder is safe to use on babies, so what’s the risk? Johnson’s Baby Powder, the most well-known brand, has been around since 1893.

However, the main ingredient in Johnson’s Baby Powder and the one that is cause for concern is talc.

Talc is a very soft mineral that is composed of magnesium, silicon and oxygen. Talc is used in various applications for effectively removing moisture, which is how it got its popular start for helping babies wearing diapers keep dry bottoms.

Not all baby powders are made with talc. Other baby powders may be made from a base of cornstarch or other absorbing materials. No health risks have been identified with the use of cornstarch-based baby powders in the medical literature.

Baby powder is used for diaper rash on a baby’s bottom, baby powder has not found to be a health concern. However, when women began using baby powder to meet their feminine hygiene needs, that is when they began to increase their risk for ovarian cancer.

In a survey of beauty routine product use, it was estimated that about 40% of women use baby powder as part of their daily feminine hygiene routine Since baby powder can help absorb moisture and control odor, women began using the powder to dust their genital area or would sprinkle the product in their panties. Johnson & Johnson even developed a product called Shower to Shower to market to women for this purpose.

Baby powder becomes a risk to women using the product near the genital area because the particles from the powder can be absorbed internally through the vagina and affect a woman’s reproductive system.

Specifically, baby powder can cause ovarian cancer. In fact, women who use baby powder as part of their daily beauty routine have an increased risk of ovarian cancer of about 24% over their counterparts who do not use the product. That means millions of mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and friends are potentially putting their health at risk without even knowing.

Scientific Link Between Baby Powder and Ovarian Cancer

In 1971, researchers found a link between talcum baby powder use and ovarian cancer. The group of British researchers studied 13 ovarian tumors, and found talc particles “deeply embedded” in 10 of them. Subsequent studies also showed an association with genitally applied talc and ovarian cancer and more than twenty studies have shown a positive correlation between talc baby powder and ovarian cancer risk.

Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuits

In 2013, the verdict in a Johnson & Johnson lawsuit found the company guilty of allegations that Johnson’s Baby Powder was responsible for a woman’s ovarian cancer.

However, the company was not forced to pay any damages to the woman, and much to the dismay of those who had hoped to save women in the future from the risk, Johnson & Johnson was not forced to issue a warning to women about the dangers of genital application of their product.

Around 700 more women have filed baby powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson alleging that their ovarian cancers was caused by the use of Johnson’s Baby Powder. These women hope to urge Johnson & Johnson to warn consumers about the cancer risk associated with their talc products.

Filing a Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuit

If you or a loved one developed ovarian cancer following your use of Johnson’s Baby Powder, Shower to Shower, or another talc based powder, you may be eligible for legal compensation. Consumers may be eligible to file an individual lawsuit or may have the opportunity to join a baby powder class action lawsuit. Our attorneys can review your case and determine your eligibility in a free consultation.