A lawsuit has been filed against Johnson & Johnson alleging that a consumer developed cancer from baby powderproducts made by the company.

Plaintiff Joyce F. has filed a lawsuit on behalf of her mother Mattie B. against Johnson & Johnson, alleging that her mother developed and died from cancer from baby powder use.

Mattie was allegedly diagnosed with cancer in 2015 after using Johnson & Johnson baby powder products from 1980 until her diagnosis. Mattie used J&J Baby Powder and Shower to Shower powder during this time, says the complaint. Joyce argues that her mother would not have developed cancer and subsequently died if she had not used Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder products.

Talc is a natural mineral and the main substance in talcum powders, the primary product in Johnson & Johnson’s powder products. Historically, Johnson’s Baby Powder has been marketed to women as a way to mask odors and absorb moisture to eliminate friction in the genital area.

However, alleges the plaintiff, talc particles have a propensity to move up the female reproductive system and come into contact with uterine lining and the ovaries, leading to inflammation and cellular damage. This mechanism can allegedly lead to cancer from baby powder use.

According to the talc powder lawsuit, there have been multiple studies since 1982 which show evidence that users can develop cancer from baby powder. In 1993, the U.S. National Toxicology Program published a study on the toxicity of non-asbestiform talc and found talc to be a carcinogen, with or without the presence of asbestos fibers. To date, multiple organizations, including the International Association for the Research of Cancer (IARC), have classified talc-based body powder as a probable human carcinogen.

In her lawsuit, Joyce claims that Johnson & Johnson knew that talc products could cause ovarian cancer with genital use in women yet concealed such facts and instead marketed their products as completely safe.

The lawsuit states “[Johnson & Johnson] caused to be released, published and disseminated medical and scientific data, literature, and test reports containing information and statements regarding the risks of ovarian cancer, which [they] knew were incorrect, incomplete and misleading”. The lawsuit argues that without Johnson & Johnson’s alleged manipulation of facts and public opinion, talc based powders would have been banned by now and less consumers would be at risk for developing cancer from baby powder use.

Joyce believes that had her mother known there was a risk of cancer from baby powder use, she would not have used Johnson & Johnson’s products for over thirty years and likely would not have developed cancer. She believes that her mother got sick and died as a direct result of Johnson & Johnson’s actions and concealment.

Joyce accuses Johnson & Johnson of failure to warn, defective manufacturer and design, breach of warranty, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, violation of consumer protection laws, fraudulent concealment, civil conspiracy, loss of consortium, and wrongful death. The lawsuit seeks damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

The Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-03553-FLW-LHG in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.