As more people become aware of the link between talc and asbestos, mesothelioma patients are coming forward with claims that they were never warned about the risk of cancer associated with their use of baby powder many decades ago.

Johnson & Johnson has faced litigation for allegedly failing to warn consumers against baby powder asbestos, drawing product liability claims filed by women across the country.

One of the most recent claims of baby powder asbestos was filed by a woman from California, and recently presented to a Pasadena jury. Plaintiff Carolyn W. was backed up by an expert witness who stated that baby powder asbestos presented serious health risks to the claimant and other women.

Electronic microscopy expert William Longo had participated in the trial as the expert witness. Longo has testified on behalf of other omen alleging they developed cancer from Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products, according to Law360.

Overview of Baby Powder Asbestos

Numerous women have already claimed they developed ovarian cancer from applying the talcum powder product to their genital area, as feminine hygiene is a typical use for these products. Plaintiffs claim Johnson & Johnson has been marketing talc products for years for female personal hygiene, even though the company allegedly knew that scientists were investigating a cancer link since the early 1970s.

More recent claims allege that cases of mesothelioma may be linked to asbestos contamination in talc products. Plaintiffs claim that baby powder asbestos, allegedly mined with the talc, can find its way inside the body and trigger the development of cancer.

This correlation was reportedly presented by Longo in a sample of talc from Johnson & Johnson baby powder, in which it was discovered there were asbestos fibers in the powder.

Longo estimated that 6.3 million asbestos fibers were in Carolyn’s talcum powder bottle when it was full, which means that she was had been regularly exposed to baby powder asbestos. Longo reportedly identified the asbestos fibers using transmission electron microscopy in standard scientific laboratories.

Johnson & Johnson argued that asbestos only comes from certain minerals and fibers, and that the fibers found in the talcum powder are harmless.

However, Longo states that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not distinguish such characteristics and that the fibrous material presents a serious risk. Furthermore, Longo pointed out that dozens of Johnson & Johnson’s internal testing documents revealed that asbestos was found in its talc products.

Carolyn opted to file this baby powder asbestos lawsuit in April 2017 after discovering that Johnson & Johnson was allegedly aware of the carcinogenic risks for decades. She alleges that Johnson & Johnson and talc supplier Imerys Talc America failed to warn her against potential mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a very rare form of lung cancer that manifests in the mucus lining of the lungs, and is specifically caused by asbestos exposure.

When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they can become lodged in the lungs and will fester after several decades of dormancy. Mesothelioma can take up to 50 years to develop, which often results in latent diagnoses and limited treatment options.

Carolyn alleges she was exposed to asbestos during regular talcum powder use, which she argues should have been mentioned on the product’s warning label. In addition, Johnson & Johnson reportedly could have provided customers with safer alternatives like cornstarch for the same hygienic purposes but continued to sell talcum powder products.

This Baby Powder Asbestos Lawsuit is Case No. BC656425, filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles.