A class action lawsuit investigation has been launched to explore the possibility of a mass lawsuit over the alleged risk of developing ovarian cancer associated with baby powder.

One common type of baby powder is derived from talc, a naturally occurring mineral. However, talc is related to another mineral—asbestos. Initially, there were concerns that some sources of talc were actually contaminated with asbestos. But legislation in the 1970s banned talc with trace amounts of asbestos from cosmetics, leading to strict quality control to prevent this. In spite of this, studies began to suggest that talc powder could cause ovarian cancer on its own.

In the 1970s, the first studies suggested that talc-based products like baby powder and talcum powder could be linked to ovarian cancer. Researchers observed that roughly three-quarters of ovarian cancer tumors contained talc particles. While this in and of itself isn’t enough to prove a link, since researchers did not study the prevalence of talc in noncancerous ovarian tissue, it led to further research.

A 1993 study performed by the U.S. National Toxicology Program (a subordinate organization of the National Institutes of Health) found that cosmetic-grade talc exposure was correlated with an increased risk of developing cancer.

In light of this, pediatric associations in the United States began recommending parents use cornstarch-based baby powders instead of talc baby powders, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that talc not be more concentrated than 2 mg. per cubic meter in the air over the course of an eight-hour workday.

In spite of this, companies continue to market talc-based products like baby powder. Some, like Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower product, is specifically marketed for use on the genitals, which could theoretically allow talc powder to migrate to the ovaries.

A baby powder class action lawsuit investigation has been launched to explore the possibility of a class action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers of talc powders. Such a baby powder lawsuit could allege that Johnson & Johnson and other responsible parties were aware — or reasonably should have been aware — of the risk of ovarian cancer allegedly linked to their products.

Baby powder lawsuits like this typically assert that manufacturers have an obligation to ensure that their products are safe to protect the general public. Lawsuits like this typically seek to recoup the costs associated with a disease like ovarian cancer, including medical costs, lost wages, and even wrongful death costs.

Class action lawsuits such as a baby powder class action lawsuit allow a group of plaintiffs to file a single group lawsuit instead of numerous individual lawsuits. This streamlines the legal process.