A woman has filed a lawsuit in the District of Columbia federal court against Johnson & Johnson, Imerys Talc, and Personal Care Products Council alleging she experienced personal injury from using Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products.

Plaintiff Eleanor M. states in her ovarian cancer lawsuit that the talc used in Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower and Johnson’s Baby Powder products caused her to develop ovarian cancer as a result of her use of the products for feminine hygiene purposes.

According to the ovarian cancer lawsuit, Eleanor used both products to dust her perineal area for feminine hygiene purposes from June 1955 until June 2006. She used these products in accordance with the Johnson & Johnson’s advertising that said “Shower to Shower can be used all over your body” and “Your body perspires in more places than just under your arms. Use Shower to Shower to feel dry, fresh, and comfortable throughout the day.”

In June 2006, Eleanor was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 50 and stopped the use of the products after her diagnosis.

It has been estimated that approximately 40% of women today still use baby powder products for feminine hygiene purposes as part of their daily hygiene routine.

The ovarian cancer lawsuit states that studies as far back as the early 1970s pointed to a link between talc, the main component of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder in Shower to Shower products, and the development of ovarian cancer. Dozens of studies since then have also confirmed a statistically significant link between talc use in the genital area and development of ovarian cancer in females.

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined from the earth. In one such study looking at ovarian cysts, it was found that talc was embedded in nearly all of the cysts that were studied. It is believed that when talc is applied to the genital area, the particles can travel into the woman’s body and can lodge near the ovaries where it can cause inflammation and cancerous cell changes.

The 1982 study on talcum powder use in the female genital area conducted by Dr. Daniel Cramer found that women who used talc in their perineal area had a 92% increased risk of ovarian cancer. According to the ovarian cancer lawsuit, Dr. Bruce Semple of Johnson & Johnson visited with Dr. Cramer about the results of his study.

“Dr. Cramer advised Dr. Semple that Johnson & Johnson should place a warning on its talcum powders about the ovarian cancer risks so that women can make an informed decision about their health,” the lawsuit states. To this date, no warning labels have ever appeared on Johnson and Johnson talcum powder products.

The ovarian cancer lawsuit goes on to state that Johnson & Johnson had received other warnings and advisories from a number of organizations, yet continued to withhold important warning information for women about the link between ovarian cancer and talcum powder use.

After finding out about the link between ovarian cancer and her use of talcum powder, Eleanor filed her ovarian cancer lawsuit on multiple counts including violation of the DC Consumer Protection Procedures Act, negligence or wantonness, defective manufacture and design, failure to warn, fraud, fraudulent concealment, breach of express and implied warranties, civil conspiracy and punitive damages.

The plaintiff is seeking damages including general damages, treble damages, punitive damages and other damages to which she may be entitled to for her losses including medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages and income, physical impairment and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and more.

The Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-01088-RC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.