Talcum powder was a popular household product for over 100 years. It’s made by crushing talc, which mainly consists of magnesium, silicon and oxygen, into a fine powder. Talc is found within a variety of items, such as sanitary pads, deodorant, cosmetics, foot powder, and more. Another popular product that uses talc is baby powder. The product’s ability to absorb moisture and reduce rashes made it popular for dusting baby bottoms to prevent irritation. What most mothers don’t realize is that when inhaled, talcum powder can harm children as well as others. In fact, many talcum powder lawsuits have resulted in multimillion-dollar settlements.
Related: Top 10 Talc-Free Baby and Body Powder Products
Talc Inhalation May Lead to Talcum Powder Lawsuits
Because the powder’s light enough to float through air, infants may accidentally inhale or even swallow talc particles. Long-term mineral exposure can also cause talcum powder poisoning symptoms. According to MedlinePlus, some symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
In fact, if talc inhalation is severe enough, it can result in serious lung irritation problems.
Additionally, research has found a link between talcum powder use and ovarian cancer. One American Journal of Epidemiology study found that women who engage in perineal dusting or use genital deodorant spray had higher relative risks for ovarian cancer.
Another 2013 study by the American Association of Cancer Research analyzed 8,525 cases of ovarian, fallopian or peritoneal cancer as well as 9,859 controls. The study found a 20%-30% percent increase in ovarian cancer risk just from genital powder use. The report notes that more studies are underway. However, avoiding genital powder use in women can significantly reduce ovarian cancer risks.
Hundreds of Talcum Powder Lawsuits Are Currently Underway
As people learn about talc risks, more talcum powder lawsuits are being filed against its most prominent manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson. Plaintiffs claim the company knew of risks associated with frequent powder use, yet neglected to add warnings to product labels.
In 2013, a jury awarded the first talcum powder settlement, but several additional payouts since then drew the media’s attention. The plaintiff sprinkled Johnson’s Baby Powder on her underwear and genital region almost daily for decades. As a result, the jury found Johnson & Johnson guilty of negligence for failing to warn consumers about ovarian cancer risks.
This ruling gave hope to other women who developed either ovarian or cervical cancer from regular talcum powder use. Today, nearly 20,000 talcum powder lawsuits from cancer victims are pending against Johnson & Johnson. As of May 2020, the drug giant decided to halt talcum powder sales in the U.S. after issuing an asbestos-related recall in late 2019.
Related: Talc-Free Makeup Brands: We List Our Top 10 Favorites
How Victims Can Get Justice and Compensation
If you or a loved one developed cancer after frequent talcum powder use, you may qualify for a cash settlement. Only talcum powder lawsuits can hold companies responsible for producing products that cause consumers pain and financial burdens from adverse reactions. Get your free talcum powder claim review today to see if you may have an eligible claim.