Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
Johnson & Johnson recently released the news that they will not be selling their infamous talc-based baby powder any longer in the US and Canada.
Why? According to their website, the novel coronavirus urged them to rethink their product in March, and lead to them stopping shipments to the US and Canada. They claim the purpose of this was to place a priority on more in demand products and maintain social distancing measures in their distribution centers and manufacturing facilities.
The company said there has been a decline in the demand for nearly 100 products, including their talc-based baby powder. Johnson & Johnson does have a cornstarch-based powder that will continue to be sold on retail stores shelves.
Johnson & Johnson firmly stands behind their talc-based baby powder despite the thousands of lawsuits filed by women who have developed ovarian cancer after prolonged use of the talc-based baby powder.
While these cases are taking place all over the country and in different stages currently, many other makers of talc-based products have opted to place warning signs on their labels rather than discontinue sales. Johnson & Johnson said removing the product was best as a warning label could be confusing, especially since they stand behind their product.
There are research scientists who have conducted studies that show a link to talc-based baby powder leading to ovarian cancer in women who use the product in the genital area, but there are other studies that do not show a link. The general consensus on the scientific level is that more research must be done.
Another string of lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson claim the talc-based baby powder causes mesothelioma. At these trials, scientists did testify that asbestos was found in samples of the powder. Johnson & Johnson claims their product is free of asbestos.
Talc is mined in areas near asbestos, but since the 1970s, any talc used in consumer products has been required to be free of asbestos.
Johnson & Johnson said that they will allow retail stores with inventory of their talc-based baby powder products to continue selling until they run out.
Talc is derived from talcum powder and is a mineral made up of oxygen, magnesium, and silicon. When used as a powder it keeps skin dry and absorbs any moisture to prevent chafing and rashes. This talc-based powder has been used in adult and baby powders, as well as other cosmetic products.
Some talc in its natural form contains asbestos, which we briefly mentioned above. ASbestos is known to cause lung cancer when it is inhaled. The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrances Association (CTFA) introduced guidelines in 1976 to the US that banned any detectable amounts of asbestos in consumer products.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which works with the World Health Organization (WHO), looks to find the causes of cancers. Based on their studies, they have found the following:
- IARC did find that talc containing asbestos is “carcinogenic to humans.”
- Human studies and certain lab animal studies conducted by IARC shows that talc that is asbestos free is not carcinogenic to humans when inhaled.
- In regards to talc-based powders leading to ovarian cancer, IARC found that use in the genital area could possibly be carcinogenic to humans.
If you believe that you have developed mesothelioma or ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson talc-based powders, our Florida Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are here to help you pursue litigation to hold the company accountable for your suffering after using their dangerous products. We are well-versed in how mesothelioma and other cancer cases erupting from dangerous or defective products work. Most of these cases settle out of trial, but can take a significant amount of time to see a fair recovery.
We know how devastating a mesothelioma or cancer diagnosis can be, which is why we are here to help you fight for what you deserve. We urge you to contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you pursue financial compensation.