Talcum powder asbestos contamination may be linked to mesothelioma—a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lung or abdominal cavity, the lining of the heart or, in the rarest cases, the lining of the testicles.

Talc—a mineral that is mined from the earth—is composed of hydrated magnesium silicate. Asbestos is a categorical name for six different silicate minerals that are also mined. Because of their similarity, they can exist in close deposit proximity to one another causing talcum powder asbestos tainting.

Talcum Powder Suspected to be Linked to Ovarian Cancer

The Johnson & Johnson Co. currently has 9,000 cases of pending litigation against them concerning their Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower talcum-based products and ovarian cancer.

Plaintiffs in a good number of these cases have alleged that they were led to believe by the pharmaceutical giant’s aggressive advertising campaigns that talc was safe to be use in the female genital region as part of a daily hygiene regimen. The allegations stemmed from studies whose research and data revealed a connection between talc use and subsequent development of ovarian cancer.

Johnson & Johnson Co. stands accused of failing to warn the public that these products could pose this type of risk by being drawn up into the body and becoming embedded in tissues. Minuscule talc particles can then trigger swelling and foreign body reactions lending to the development of cancerous conditions.

Talcum Powder Asbestos Contamination

Although asbestos used to be used in many household products, the mineral group was known for its ability to resist electrical current, heat, and fire as well as for its sound absorption quality.

For this reason, its use was concentrated in construction materials where men—more prevalently occupying associated occupations—were exposed to the cancer-causing agent.

While mesothelioma is nearly five percent more common in men than women, the latter’s diagnosis with this disease has been a bewilderment to the scientific community. In the last few years, however, it was discovered that talcum powder asbestos contamination while talc is being mined from earth deposits is not uncommon.

While the amount of talcum powder asbestos contamination may affect industrial talc products more, some of it has been isolated to common products which women used years ago in the form of cosmetics and baby powder-type hygiene items which are still commonly applied to the peritoneal area by females.

In addition to multiple lawsuits that Johnson & Johnson is fighting regarding ovarian cancer, the finding that products used by women might have had talcum powder asbestos contamination has started a whole new wave of litigation from women that have contracted mesothelioma.

In July 2018, Johnson & Johnson was required to pay damages amounting to $21.7 million to a woman who used the company’s baby powder daily and now has mesothelioma. The spokesperson for the corporation claims that there is no relationship, but scientific evidence is building that suggests a connection.

Have you or a loved one used Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder or Shower-to-Shower daily for a number of years? Have you been diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer? Product liability attorneys can listen to your story and offer a free, initial consultation. You may have a legal claim.