A woman from New York recently filed a talcum powder asbestos lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Imerys USA Inc., alleging asbestos in their talc based products caused her to develop mesothelioma.

The talcum powder asbestos lawsuit notes scientists had pointed out that talc and asbestos may have similar properties, which can mean asbestos exposure from an unexpected source.

Plaintiff Marilyn L. filed this talcum powder asbestos lawsuit soon after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a very rare respiratory cancer specifically caused by asbestos exposure.

In contrast to typical lung cancer, mesothelioma manifests in the tissue that surrounds the lungs after asbestos fibers become lodged in the lining and causes scarring.

Traditionally, asbestos exposure is a risk in older buildings and naval sites, with former manufacturing workers and United States military veterans the most at risk for mesothelioma development. However, victims may now include women who used talcum powder for personal feminine hygienic purposes–women who would have had no way of knowing they were being exposed.

Baby Powder Use

This unknown exposure was allegedly the case with Marilyn, who had used Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products on a regular basis for a variety of hygiene purposes. The company would use phrases like “clean” and “fresh” when marketing talcum powder for feminine hygiene.

According to the talcum powder asbestos lawsuit, this regular use of talcum powder caused Marilyn to develop mesothelioma. She was diagnosed with the disease on Aug. 10, 2018.

Given that mesothelioma is a very slow progressing disease, with patients often not exhibiting symptoms until 50 years after exposure, Marilyn reports that her health has been severely compromised. With late diagnoses, patients often have limited treatment options and shortened life expectancies with no current cure for mesothelioma.

Overview of Talcum Powder Cancer Correlation

Talc is a soft mineral that is mined and crushed down into powder, which is then sold to consumers who are allegedly assured by the manufacturing company that their products are safe to use. Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and Shower to Shower powders are both talc based products, which have been used by women for generations.

Johnson and Johnson has faced substantial litigation from women who developed ovarian cancer. Studies have reported a link between talc and ovarian cancer since the 1970s. The first in depth study to investigate this alleged correlation was conducted in the 1980s, and there have been over a dozen later studies finding similar data.

Researchers believe that when women apply talcum powder to their genital area, the talc particles can travel through their fallopian tubes and become embedded in the ovaries. After a certain number of years the particles fester into cancer cells.

Scientists suspect that some talc may be contaminated with asbestos. Since talc and asbestos are often found near each other in nature, cross contamination is possible–creating a risk of contamination in talc-based products. The risk of mesothelioma impacts users of both genders.

Even though these complications can be devastating to patients, Johnson & Johnson and Imerys allegedly failed to disclose this information to the public. Marilyn is seeking a multitude of damages in her talcum powder asbestos lawsuit, including counts of negligence and failure to warn.

This Talcum Powder Asbestos Lawsuit is Case No. 8:18-cv-01270-BKS-CFH, in the Supreme Court of the state of New York, County of St. Lawrence.