Asbestos in Talcum Powder

Talcum powder is made from talc, a naturally occurring mineral mined from the earth. Because talc is often found in nature near asbestos, asbestos can contaminate talc. Talc contaminated with asbestos leads to asbestos exposure in individuals who use talcum powder products. Asbestos in talcum powder has been linked to mesothelioma and other cancers. Those diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible to file a talcum powder lawsuit.

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What Is Talcum Powder?

Talcum powder is a product mined from talc. Talc is a naturally occurring mineral composed mainly of magnesium, silicon and oxygen. Talcum powder may contain asbestos, another naturally occurring mineral that is often found near talc in the earth. During the mining process, talc may be contaminated with asbestos due to its close proximity to the mineral.

Once talc is mined, it is typically crushed at the site of the mine before being transported to a mill. At the mill, talc is crushed further before being processed into a fine powder to be used in consumer and industrial products. Johnson and Johnson (J&J) is a key producer of consumer talcum powder products.

Properties of Talcum Powder

Talcum powder has several properties that make it useful for a wide variety of applications.

Absorbent: Absorbs moisture and odors

Soft: Smooth texture reduces friction

Heat resistant: Able to withstand high temperatures

Non-reactive: Does not react with most chemicals

Uses of Talcum Powder

Due to its properties, talcum powder is used in a range of products across different industries. Talcum powder is used in:

Consumer Products: Personal care items, such as baby powders, body powders and cosmetics.

Industrial Applications: Ceramics, paint, paper plastics and rubber.

Agriculture: Animal feed, fertilizers and agricultural chemicals.

Food: As a coating agent and processing aid in foods such as chewing gum, rice and olive oil.

Pharmaceuticals: As an ingredient in some tablet formulations of medications to prevent ingredients from sticking together.

Talcum Powder and Asbestos Exposure

When talc is mined, it often coexists in the earth in deposits that also contain asbestos. During the mining process, there is a risk of asbestos contaminating the talc. When talc is processed into powder form, asbestos fibers can become mixed in with the talcum powder. Asbestos fibers in talcum powder are of concern because of the potential health risks associated with breathing in or ingesting these fibers. Asbestos is a known carcinogen proven to cause diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Talcum Powder and Mesothelioma

Several studies have explored the link between a mesothelioma diagnosis and asbestos-contaminated talcum powder. In more than 100 cases, cosmetic talc was the only known source of asbestos exposure. The majority of these cases occurred in female patients and were pleural or peritoneal mesotheliomas.

In recent years, mesothelioma associated with the use of cosmetic talc and baby powders has been a regular topic in news cycles. A 2018 investigative report by Reuters exposed the dangers of asbestos-contaminated talcum powder. The report cited corporate documents from Johnson & Johnson showing the company had been aware of potential asbestos contamination of their popular talcum powder (baby powder) for decades. Despite this knowledge, the company took no action to alert consumers or label their products with warnings.

“Talc that has asbestos is generally accepted as being able to cause cancer if it is inhaled.” American Cancer Society

Who is at Risk of Asbestos-Contaminated Talc and Talcum Powder?

Several groups of individuals are at risk of asbestos exposure from talc and talcum powder. These include users of consumer talcum powder products (self-use or application to others), workers involved in talc production and those whose occupations involve the industrial use of talc.

• Barbers/Hairdressers
• Ceramics workers
• Children
• Consumers
• Factory workers
• Healthcare professionals
• Paint makers
• Paper mill workers
• Talc miners and millers

Talcum Powder Manufacturers and Products

Many companies have faced lawsuits for potential asbestos-contamination of their talcum powder and products. These companies may have exposed workers and consumers to the dangers of asbestos. Some talcum powder brands and suppliers include:

• Avon
• Bauer & Black©
• Cashmere Bouquet
• Colgate-Palmolive
• Coty
• English Leather®
• Faberge
• Friendship Garden
• Imerys
• Johnson & Johnson (J&J)
• Kings Men
• Mennen
• Old Spice©
• Pinaud Clubman®
• Procter & Gamble (P&G)
• Revlon
• Rosemary
• Vanderbilt Minerals
• Whittaker, Clark & Daniels
• ZBT

Notable talcum powder products include but are not limited to:

• Avon Night Magic Talcum Powder
• Avon Skin So Soft Satin Talc Powder
• Bauer & Black© Baby Talc
• Cashmere Bouquet Body Talc
• Chattem Gold Bond® Body Powders
• Clubman® Talcum Powder
• Coty Airspun Face Powder
• Desert Flower Dusting Powder
• English Leather® After Shave Talc
• Faberge Brut Talc
• Friendship Garden Talcum Powder
• Jean Nate Silkening Body Powder
• Johnson’s® Baby Powder
• Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower
• Mennen Shave Talc
• Old Spice© Talcum Powder
• Rosemary Talc
• Yardley© Black Label Baby Powder
• Yardley© Invisible Talc
• ZBT Baby Powder with Olive Oil

“Use of cosmetic talc is often overlooked as a source of asbestos exposure. All individuals with mesothelioma should have a comprehensive history of asbestos exposure, including cosmetic talc exposure.” Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology (2023)

Talcum Powder Lawsuits and Litigation

Individuals who are diagnosed with mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos-contaminated talcum powder products may be eligible to seek compensation. An asbestos lawyer can help explain legal options to patients and family members. One option is a talcum powder lawsuit which may end with a settlement or verdict. Another option may be to pursue payment from asbestos trust funds which are established by some companies to compensate victims.

ELSM Talcum Powder Lawsuit Results

The law firm of Early Lucarelli Sweeney & Meisenkothen (ELSM) is dedicated solely to asbestos litigation. ELSM lawyers can help you seek compensation for your diagnosis. ELSM’s mesothelioma clients have settlements or verdicts with talc and cosmetics companies totaling over $300 million due to exposure to asbestos-contaminated talcum powder. The following is a sample of talcum powder trial verdicts that have been won on behalf of ELSM clients since 2023:

• Avon Products - $53 million
• RT Vanderbilt - $22.5 million
• Johnson and Johnson - $20 million
• Johnson and Johnson - $15 million
• RT Vanderbilt - $15 million

Johnson & Johnson Bankruptcy Latest News

The latest news on Johnson & Johnson talcum powder lawsuit is that the company is currently on its third attempt to file for bankruptcy through a subsidiary company in an effort to avoid full financial responsibility to mesothelioma victims and their families. After two previous bankruptcy attempts failed, Johnson & Johnson is trying for a third time to resolve lawsuits against them from more than 62,000 plaintiffs who claim their cancers resulted from their use of the company’s baby powder and other talc products which were contaminated with asbestos. If successful, this bankruptcy settlement would prevent new talc lawsuits from being filed against J&J in the future.

FAQs

Does talcum powder contain asbestos?

Some talcum powder may be contaminated with asbestos. The two minerals occur near each other in nature. During the mining process, there is potential for asbestos fibers to mix in with talc. As a result, asbestos may be found in consumer products made with talcum powder, like baby powder and cosmetics.

Is talcum powder dangerous?

Yes, talcum powder can be dangerous if it is contaminated with asbestos. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma. Inhalation or ingestion of talcum powder products can put users at risk for this rare cancer.

Does talcum powder cause cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, “Talc that has asbestos is generally accepted as being able to cause cancer if it is inhaled.”

What is the link between talcum powder and mesothelioma?

Talcum powder and mesothelioma are linked because talcum powder may be contaminated with asbestos and exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma.

A study published in 2023 in the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology analyzed 166 mesothelioma cases, citing a link between asbestos exposure and the development of the rare disease, particularly through cosmetic talc products. Of the 166 cases, 122 reported the use of talcum powder as their only known source of asbestos exposure.

Am I eligible to file a talcum powder lawsuit?

You may be eligible if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and have a history of using talcum powder products, such as baby powder. Contact an experienced lawyer at our firm to explore your legal options and how to pursue compensation for your diagnosis.