Used baby powder and diagnosed with cancer? Join a talcum powder class action lawsuit

Talc baby powder and asbestos contamination: Who’s affected?

Did you use talcum powder on a daily basis for at least 4 years and were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer? If so, you may be eligible to join a talcum powder class action lawsuit. Fill out the form to learn more.

Talc powder—the primary ingredient in widely used products such as Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and Shower to Shower body powder—has long been used for personal hygiene. But because talc is often mined near asbestos, a known carcinogen, cross-contamination can occur during the mining process.

As a result, women who used talcum powder for hygiene on their genitals may have unknowingly exposed themselves to asbestos over extended periods. This prolonged exposure has been linked to a 33% increased risk of ovarian and fallopian tube cancers.

Johnson & Johnson now faces more than 50,000 baby powder lawsuits from consumers who claim its talc-based baby powder caused their cancer, and that the multinational consumer health giant knew about the risks.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, you may be eligible to join a talcum powder cancer lawsuit. Time to file may be limited—complete the form on this page to request a free case evaluation.

Studies link talc powder to asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer 

Concerns about the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer date back to 1982. That year, a study suggested that talc particles could migrate through the female reproductive system and reach the ovaries. These particles may remain in the ovaries for years, potentially causing chronic inflammation and creating an environment that promotes cancer cell growth.

Over the decades, numerous medical studies have reinforced this connection. One study, which included more than 3,000 women, found that using talcum powder can increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer by 33% (The Association Between Talc Use and Ovarian Cancer).

Adding to safety concerns, expert testimony in one lawsuit revealed that asbestos, a known carcinogen, had been detected in Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder.

As a result, major cosmetic brands including Johnson & Johnson, Revlon, Chanel and Avon have faced talc cancer lawsuits and have quietly removed talc from some of their products.

Evidence of previous knowledge

In 2018, a Reuters investigation examined internal documents and testimony that indicated Johnson & Johnson knew that some of its raw and finished talc powders contained trace amounts of asbestos. According to Reuters, the company had evidence of asbestos contamination dating back to at least 1971.

Despite concerns raised by executives, mine managers, scientists and attorneys, the company did not disclose this information to regulators or the public.

Talc removed from products

In 2019, Johnson & Johnson disclosed that it was under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and had received federal subpoenas related to its talc-based products. As of the date of this publication, the findings of that investigation have not been made public.

Amid growing scrutiny and legal pressure, Johnson & Johnson announced in August 2022 that it would stop selling talc-based baby powder globally, transitioning instead to a cornstarch-based formula.

While this marked a step forward, it came far too late for thousands of women.

Ongoing Johnson & Johnson litigation

In a landmark 2018 case involving 22 plaintiffs, a jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $4.7 billion in damages over claims that its talc-based products caused ovarian cancer.

More recently, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $700 million to settle investigations brought by 42 states and the District of Columbia. The probes focused on whether the company misled consumers about the safety of its talc products through its marketing practices.

In April 2023, Johnson & Johnson proposed a 25-year settlement plan, offering $8.9 billion to resolve thousands of lawsuits alleging that its talc-based products caused cancer. This proposal was contingent upon the company avoiding liability by channeling claims through a subsidiary’s bankruptcy filing.

However, in July 2023, a bankruptcy court denied this attempt, marking the second time J&J’s strategy to limit liability via bankruptcy was rejected.

Undeterred, J&J made a third attempt in September 2024, with its subsidiary, Red River Talc LLC, filing for bankruptcy and proposing an $8 billion settlement over 25 years. In 2025, a U.S. bankruptcy judge dismissed the plan, citing insufficient support from affected women and inappropriate legal protections for non-bankrupt entities.

Following this third rejection, Johnson & Johnson announced it would not appeal the decision and plans to contest the claims in civil courts. Amongst all of this litigation, the company denies the allegations and continues to assert that its talc products are safe and do not cause ovarian cancer.

Join a talc powder lawsuit investigation

Johnson & Johnson is still facing more than 50,000 baby powder lawsuits linked to its talcum powder products, but the window to join may be closing. To find out if you’re eligible to join the thousands of others who have already stepped forward, you can request a free case evaluation by filling out the form on this page.

You may qualify to participate in a talcum powder cancer class action lawsuit investigation if you used talcum powder daily for at least 4 years and were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Surviving family members of individuals who passed away from cancer linked to these products may also be eligible to file a claim.

Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.