The husband of a woman who has died allegedly in connection with Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder has filed a talc powder cancer lawsuit against the company.

Plaintiff Louis C. of Louisiana has filed this talc powder cancer lawsuit on behalf of the estate of his wife Mary Lee.

Louis claims Mary Lee died because of ovarian cancer that was caused by her use of Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower powder.

Louis claims that his wife regularly used both products throughout her lifetime and that this use directly led to her ovarian cancer diagnosis in January 2008.

She died a little over 4 years later, in April 2012.

According to this talc powder cancer lawsuit, the plaintiff believes that Johnson & Johnson knew about the risks of ovarian cancer associated with their products, yet failed to inform the public.

Louis claims that Johnson’s Baby Powder is not safe and that many studies have shown that regular baby powder use can lead to a significant increased risk of ovarian cancer.

One such study reports that women who used talc-based powders in their genital areas have a 92 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer compared to those women who never used the powders.

Talc is a mineral that is mined from the earth, and it is the main substance in Johnson’s Baby Powder. For over 100 years, their brand has been the market standard for use on infants and adult skin.

Talc Powder Cancer Lawsuit Targets J&J’s Marketing

Louis alleges that Johnson & Johnson has also marketed their product for safe use on the female genital area to mask odors and keep the area clean. It has been a “symbol of freshness, cleanliness and purity.”

In fact, the bottle says, “For you, use every day to help feel soft, fresh, and comfortable.”

The same is true for the Shower to Shower bottle. Louis argues Shower to Shower is marketed as safe for everyday use, as evidenced by its slogan, “A sprinkle a day keeps odor away.” Other marketing materials for Shower to Shower say that “Shower to Shower can be used all over your body.”

However, as early as the 1970s, a study done in Wales showed a possible association between talc powder and cancer. In this study, talc particles were found deeply imbedded in tissue from 10 out of 13 ovarian tumors of baby powder users.

Numerous studies done since then have shown a relationship between talc powder use and cancer.

In 2013, Cancer Prevention Research published a study that showed that women who used talc powder in their genital area had a 20 to 30 percent increased risk of developing ovarian cancer than women who did not.

Louis is bringing claims of negligence, gross negligence, defective manufacturing, failure to warn, breach of implied warranties, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, civil conspiracy, concert of action, negligent misrepresentation, unfair and deceptive trade practices and wrongful death.

The Wrongful Death Talc Powder Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-00156 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.