Written By: Devin Golden
Talc and Mesothelioma
Talc, if it contains asbestos, can cause mesothelioma Asbestos is the only proven cause of mesothelioma. The toxic fiber can contaminate talc baby powder and beauty products without the user knowing.
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
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Important Facts About Talc and Mesothelioma
- Talc is a naturally occurring mineral. While there is not any definitive evidence that talc can cause cancer, it can be contaminated with another mineral called asbestos, which is dangerous and can cause cancer.
- The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos. Sharp fibers break off and can be inhaled or swallowed. They can irritate cell linings and cause cells to mutate, turning into a tumor.
- Talc was the main ingredient in several popular health and cosmetic items, including the popular Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder. Manufacturers ground the mineral into a powder. This powder was applied to the skin of children, along with some adults, to absorb moisture and keep skin dry and healthy.
- Many cancer victims blame Johnson & Johnson for their diagnosis and exposing them to talc contaminated with asbestos. Johnson & Johnson faces tens of thousands of cancer lawsuits, and other companies that used talc to make talcum powder products also face lawsuits from mesothelioma patients.
Johnson & Johnson Talc and Mesothelioma
Johnson & Johnson is the brand most connected to asbestos in talc. The company recalled its popular Baby Powder product due to allegations of asbestos contamination. Activist organizations and successful lawsuits forced Johnson & Johnson to address the issues, and the company’s decision affirms the power of activism and victims’ courage in pursuing litigation.
The U.S. Justice Department opened a criminal investigation against Johnson & Johnson in 2019, according to Bloomberg. The company’s baby powder and other talc products were at the center. Investigators wanted to know if the company misled or lied to the public about the talc items being safe.
While the company has repeatedly denied that its talc products contain asbestos, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency both did tests on samples of the product and found traces of asbestos. Johnson & Johnson also recalled 33,000 bottles of the product for evidence of asbestos contamination.
Johnson & Johnson no longer manufactures and sells its talc Baby Powder product. It stopped the sale of the product in the U.S. and Canada in 2020 and a few years later stopped it worldwide. The company now sells a talc-free version of baby powder.
What Is Talc?
Talc is a soft, naturally occurring mineral found throughout the country. It’s usually green, white, gray or brown and is comprised mainly of three elements: magnesium, silicon and oxygen.
Talc is often made into a powder, which is called talcum powder. When crushed into a powder, the substance can absorb moisture, oils, odors and other infectants. These properties keep your skin dry and prevent rashes.
How Does Asbestos Contaminate Talc?
Asbestos, like talc, is a naturally occurring silicate mineral found underground and in many of the same geographic areas as talc. Asbestos and talc often are neighbors in the earth’s soil.
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the two substances are usually found close enough to one another that without careful mining procedures they can mix. When talc is mined, there’s a high probability of asbestos contamination. The International Agency for Research on Cancer labels asbestos-containing talc as a cancerous material for humans.
Evidence of Asbestos in Talc
A 2020 study by the FDA revealed how frequently asbestos contaminates talc-based cosmetic commodities. Approximately 23% of the items tested included detectable asbestos.
The Environmental Working Group conducted its own tests and found asbestos in 15% of talc products. Two of the numerous products found to contain asbestos were eye shadow palettes and one was a children’s toy makeup kit.
The eye shadow palette product names were 120 Colors Eyeshadow Palette; and Beauty Glazed Gorgeous Me Eye Shadow Tray Palette. The children’s product was Princess Girl’s All-in-One Deluxe Makeup Palette.
The FDA is considering wide-scale changes to how it tests for asbestos in talc cosmetics. In 2017, the agency formed a task force dedicated to analyzing how the FDA currently tests — and where to make improvements. The task force issued recommendations in 2020 for updating and enhancing testing methods, including what level of asbestos poses a risk to consumers.
Scientific Explanation of How Contaminated Talc Causes Mesothelioma
Contaminated talc causes mesothelioma due to loose asbestos fibers entering your body and irritating cells in specific locations. This results in cellular mutation, which forms tumors.
Asbestos is a proven carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer and other diseases. The substance includes microscopic fibers that, when disturbed, can enter the air. These fibers can be inhaled or ingested, both of which could result in mesothelioma forming.
When people use a talc product that includes asbestos fibers, the loose dust can be inhaled or ingested into the body. The fibers are sharp, and they can puncture the thin lining near either your lung or abdominal cavity.
Studies Confirm Connection Between Talc and Mesothelioma
TIME magazine reported on a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This study analyzed 33 mesothelioma patients with one shared trait: All of them had the cancer despite talc powder being their only known exposure to asbestos.
The authors of the study then highlighted six individuals who “underwent tissue testing that showed fibers consistent with the type of asbestos found in cosmetic talc, but not in things like building supplies and insulation,” according to the TIME article.
Therefore, the researchers ruled out other methods, such as occupational asbestos exposure or a secondhand source.
A second study, which was published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, analyzed the connection between cosmetic talc and mesothelioma. The researchers found 75 people whose only known asbestos exposure was from asbestos-contaminated talc.
Who Is Affected By Talc and Mesothelioma?
Women, in particular, are most at risk of mesothelioma after using a talc item. Mesothelioma is a concern for women because they’re likely to use talc-based cosmetic products, either on themselves or their children.
In both of the aforementioned studies, women comprised the vast majority of cases.
Combining the two reports, there were 108 cases of mesothelioma from exposure to talc cosmetics. Of those cases, 90 were women.
Dr. Jacqueline Moline, of the Hofstra School of Medicine, said the study “suggests that cosmetic talcum powder use may help explain the high prevalence of idiopathic mesothelioma cases, particularly among women.”
Talc Products That Can Cause Mesothelioma
Numerous everyday products list talc as one of the ingredients. These products are the culprit in talc and mesothelioma having a connection.
According to various online sources and published news articles, the goods include:
- Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder
- Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower Powder
- Degree Men Antiperspirant and Deodorant
- Centrum Multivitamins, and other supplements
- Chanel after-shower health and beauty powders
- Avon powder products
- Walgreens Aspirin 81
- Chewing gum
- Food processing
- Talcum powder used in barbershops (to reduce irritation on the neck or face)
- Various cosmetics (lipstick, mascara, face powder, blush, eye shadow or even children’s makeup)
According to a New York Times article from 2018, talc was even used to make condoms and surgical gloves.
Using talc to make cosmetics was a standard practice for nearly all of the 20th century. In the 1990s, the FDA requested manufacturers to stop using talc for these products due to health concerns. Some organizations even found the mineral in children’s crayons and other toys.
In 1976, the New York Times reported that 10 out of the 19 talc-based body and baby powders tested included asbestos fibers. Specifically, the researchers found the fibers mixed in the talcum powder.
The 10 brand-name products contaminated with asbestos were:
- ZBT Baby Powder with Baby Oil
- Cashmere Bouquet Body Talc
- Coty Airspun Face Powder
- Rosemary Talc
- Bauer & Black Baby Talc
- Faberge Brut Talc
- Yardley Invisible Talc
- Yardley Black Label Baby Powder
- Mennen Shave Talc
- English Leather After-Shave Talc
Talc is still a primary ingredient in many products. The New York Times states brands may list talc under various names, including:
- Talcum
- Talcum powder
- Cosmetic talc
- Magnesium silicate
FDA Considers Improving Talc Cosmetics Asbestos Testing Procedures
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a white paper at the beginning of 2022 about potential enhancements to testing for asbestos in talc cosmetics. The white paper came after the Interagency Working Group on Asbestos in Consumer Products (IWGACP) collaborated on scientific opinions regarding testing procedures for asbestos in talc cosmetics.
“We have become aware that methods employed by some industry members to test for asbestos in talc-containing cosmetic products may not always detect the presence of asbestos,” said Susan Mayne, Director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “That’s why an interagency working group sought to take a state-of-the-science look at available methods.”
Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) is the standard method for talc cosmetic testing, and it has been since the 1970s. The cosmetic industry used PLM if amphibole asbestos strands are found in X-ray scans.
The IWGACP suggests the FDA transition to Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) along with PLM. The TEM method has detected asbestos fibers in samples that were labeled negative by PLM. Other suggestions from the white paper include:
- Reporting all asbestos and other dangerous particles equal to or greater than a specific length and specific length-to-width ratio
- Providing analytical reports of findings
- Establishing policies for laboratories covering training, quality assurance and quality control
In 2021, 2022, and 2023, the cosmetic samples tested by the FDA were clean of asbestos. The year prior, around 17% of samples tested positive for traces of asbestos. In the 2023 tests, the FDA used both PLM and TEM testing methods.
The products are selected based on several characteristics, including:
- Product type
- Price range
- Popularity
- Presence in advertisements
- Whether the products were marketed to children or women of color
- Whether any third-party reports found asbestos contamination
EPA Ignores Connection Between Talc and Asbestos
As of March 2024, chrysotile asbestos is banned in the U.S., and the other five types of asbestos are heavily regulated. However, in the past, asbestos has been found in cosmetic products designed specifically for women and children. This discovery is alarming—even more so because the EPA did not address the issue at all.
The EPA published part 1 of a risk evaluation for asbestos in early 2021 but failed to acknowledge the confirmed reports of asbestos in talc. Asbestos in talc was one of the biggest health stories of 2020 – besides COVID-19. It’s concerning that the regulatory agency responsible for protecting American citizens from hazardous substances ignored one of the public’s main asbestos concerns.
The asbestos risk evaluation did address the dangers associated with chrysotile asbestos, saying it “found unreasonable risk to human health for uses of chrysotile asbestos.” So, why would the EPA not acknowledge the dangers of asbestos in talc, when it acknowledges the dangers in other sectors?
Part 2 of the risk evaluation is scheduled to be published by December 1, 2024.
Mesothelioma Legal Cases Involving Talc
Talc is the primary ingredient in most baby powder products, which is the source of many legal battles involving talc and mesothelioma lawsuits.
Avon Products Inc. Talc and Mesothelioma Lawsuits
As of 2020, Avon had faced nearly 130 talc and asbestos lawsuits. Due to the controversy, Avon announced it would pull talc from production processes, but this effort would not excuse them from further talc litigation.
An Arizona woman was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2021 and attributed her diagnosis to the use of Avon’s powder products, which she later found out had high levels of asbestos. Her case was heard by a California jury.
The jury concluded Avon management was aware of the cancer risk associated with the company’s talc products and did not warn consumers. According to the verdict, the jury also found Avon executives acted with “malice, oppression or fraud” in suppressing the health risks associated with the products, which led to a punishment award.
In December 2022, she was awarded over $50 million in damages. The jury initially awarded $40 million in actual damages to compensate for the victim’s pain and medical bills. Due to the jury’s discovery of malice intent, the victim was awarded an additional $10.3 million in punitive damages.
Johnson & Johnson and Talc Mesothelioma Lawsuits
The FDA has conducted tests of cosmetic products since 2017, and in 2019 the organization found asbestos in samples of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder product. That news led to Johnson & Johnson recalling the specific lot that was reportedly contaminated.
The company, which faces thousands of mesothelioma lawsuits, announced in May 2020 that it would cease production and sale of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder in the U.S. and Canada. This news is a significant victory for activist organizations in the fight against asbestos exposure from talc-based health and beauty items.
Reuters published an article in 2018 claiming Johnson & Johnson knew its product was tainted with the carcinogen. In July 2019, the U.S. Justice Department opened an investigation into whether Johnson & Johnson lied about their knowledge of asbestos in their products.
If true, then the company willingly allowed many customers to be placed at extraordinary risk of developing mesothelioma.
Roundup of Johnson & Johnson Talc Mesothelioma Lawsuits and Verdicts
According to a Bloomberg article, Johnson & Johnson faces more than 14,000 civil claims related to its baby powder. There have already been numerous verdicts favoring talc and mesothelioma victims against Johnson & Johnson:
- A California jury awarded a talc and mesothelioma victim $29.4 million in 2019.
- Another verdict in 2019 awarded a total of $4.7 billion to 22 patients.
- A New York state jury awarded a victim $325 million, up from the $300 million she got in 2019.
- A jury in 2020 hit Johnson & Johnson with a $750 million verdict in punitive damages. New Jersey state law lowered this below $200 million. This verdict was eventually thrown out by a New Jersey appeals court.
- A California jury ruled against Johnson & Johnson in 2019 and awarded the victim around $40 million.
- A Missouri appeals court upheld a previous Johnson & Johnson verdict and awarded a group of cancer victims $2.12 billion.
- Another California jury awarded $26.5 million to a woman who claims Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder is responsible for her malignant mesothelioma.
- An Oregon jury awarded a woman with mesothelioma $260 million. She claimed the use of Johnson & Johnson cosmetics led to her aggressive cancer.
More Johnson & Johnson Legal News
In 2021, Johnson & Johnson reportedly set aside nearly $4 billion for asbestos lawsuit settlements. The news is proof some Johnson & Johnson talc products cause mesothelioma.
In 2020, Johnson & Johnson settled more than 1,000 asbestos claims involving talc baby powder. The total settlement amount was likely around $10 billion.
Johnson & Johnson faces nearly 60,000 cancer lawsuits as of June 2024. The company has made three attempts to create a subsidiary that files for bankruptcy to avoid future lawsuits. The first two attempts failed due to a judge blocking the bankruptcy. This tactic is called the “Texas Two-Step” and would involve creating an asbestos trust fund through the bankrupt subsidiary.
The third attempt aims to settle pending ovarian cancer lawsuits but would not settle pending mesothelioma claims. As of June 2024, this attempt is being considered by Texas bankruptcy courts.
Other Companies Facing Talc Cancer Lawsuits
Other companies face similar legal issues due to their talc products. Claire’s and Chanel both are defendants in asbestos lawsuits regarding their talc items.
Talc cancer claims are on the rise. According to one report, they increased 11% from 2018 to 2019. There are approximately 300 each year. Around 65% of victims in the claims are women.
If you have mesothelioma and used health and beauty powder products, you may have been exposed to talc contaminated with asbestos. Our team can help you get a free case evaluation from legal experts. Contact us today to learn if a talc product caused your disease.
Frequently Asked Questions About Talc and Mesothelioma
How does talc cause cancer?
Talc causes cancer by exposing consumers to shards of asbestos mixed into the talcum powder. Talc products can cause mesothelioma if the asbestos fibers enter the pleura or peritoneum, which line the lung cavity and abdomen. These fibers aggravate cells and cause them to mutate.
Does talc in makeup contain asbestos?
Talc makeup and other cosmetics can contain asbestos. There are reports of asbestos found in lipstick, mascara, blush, eye shadow and children’s makeup. Any product that includes talc as an ingredient is potentially dangerous.
How does asbestos get in talcum powder?
Asbestos and talc are naturally forming minerals found within the earth’s soil. They cohabitate, often forming in the same geographical regions and sometimes just feet apart. Their neighborly relationship makes it easy to mix during mining procedures. Asbestos fibers can blend in with the talc after it’s ground into a powder.
What talc products could have asbestos in them?
Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder is the most notorious talc product linked to asbestos and mesothelioma. In 2020, the company pledged to stop producing talc versions of the product in the United States and Canada. Other talc products connected to asbestos include:
- Antiperspirants and deodorants
- Multivitamins
- After-shower powders
- Toothpaste
- Children’s crayons
- Food processing
Can you sue if you have mesothelioma from talc?
You can sue for a talc-related mesothelioma. The companies held responsible are usually the manufacturer of the talc product, as they are accused of using talc despite knowing the health risks. Johnson & Johnson faces thousands of mesothelioma lawsuits from victims of their hazardous talc Baby Powder. Some lawsuits have netted multi-million-dollar verdicts.
Sources & Author
- Talcum Powder and Cancer. American Cancer Society. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/talcum-powder-and-cancer.html. Accessed: 11/18/19.
- Talc: The Softest Mineral. Geology.com. Retrieved from: https://geology.com/minerals/talc.shtml. Accessed: 11/18/19.
- Talc. United States Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/talc. Accessed: 11/18/19.
- CFSAN FOIA Electronic Reading Room. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-food-safety-and-applied-nutrition-cfsan/cfsan-foia-electronic-reading-room. Accessed: 03/10/2020.
- What Is Talc, Where Is It Used and Why Is Asbestos a Concern? The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/14/business/talc-asbestos-powder-facts.html. Accessed: 11/18/19.
- Report: Johnson & Johnson knew its talcum powder sometimes had asbestos traces. The Washington Post. Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/report-johnson-and-johnson-knew-its-talcum-powder-sometimes-had-asbestos-traces/2018/12/14/9a89feb0-ffe7-11e8-862a-b6a6f3ce8199_story.html. Accessed: 11/27/19.
- Public Meeting on Testing Methods for Asbestos in Talc and Cosmetic Products Containing Talc. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-news-events/public-meeting-testing-methods-asbestos-talc-and-cosmetic-products-containing-talc-02042020-02042020. Accessed: 01/13/2020.
- Preliminary Recommendations on Testing Methods for Asbestos in Talc and Consumer Products Containing Talc. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/media/134005/download. Accessed: 01/13/2020.
- A New Study Suggests Tainted Talcum Powder Can Cause a Rare Cancer. Here’s How That Could Play Out in the Courtroom. TIME. Retrieved from: https://time.com/5692129/talcum-powder-mesothelioma/. Accessed: 11/18/19.
- Malignant mesothelioma following repeated exposures to cosmetic talc: A case series of 75 patients. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. Retrieved from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajim.23106. Accessed: 03/18/2020.
- Mesothelioma Linked to Asbestos in Talcum Powder. Newswire. Retrieved from: https://www.newswise.com//articles/mesothelioma-linked-to-asbestos-in-talcum-powder. Accessed: 01/09/2020.
- Alert: Tests Find High Levels of Asbestos in Children’s Makeup Kit. Environmental Working Group. Retrieved from: https://www.ewg.org/release/alert-tests-find-high-levels-asbestos-children-s-makeup-kit. Accessed: 01/23/2020.
- Asbestos Found In Ten Powders. New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/1976/03/10/archives/asbestos-found-in-ten-powders.html. Accessed: 03/24/2020.
- J&J Denials of Asbestos in Baby Powder Spur Criminal Probe. Bloomberg. Retrieved from: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-12/j-j-denials-of-asbestos-in-baby-powder-spur-u-s-criminal-probe. Accessed: 07/15/19.
- Johnson & Johnson knew for decades that asbestos lurked in its Baby Powder. Reuters. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/johnsonandjohnson-cancer/. Accessed: 03/17/19.
- Jury Orders J&J to Pay $750 Million for Talc Case Punishment. Bloomberg. Retrieved from: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-06/j-j-ordered-to-pay-750-million-in-punitive-damages-over-talc. Accessed: 02/10/2020.
- Analysis: Talc-Based Cosmetics Test Positive for Asbestos. Environmental Working Group. Retrieved from: https://www.ewg.org/release/analysis-talc-based-cosmetics-test-positive-asbestos. Accessed: 12/02/2020.
- Talc 2020: Recent Developments in the New Decade. KCIC. Retrieved from: https://www.kcic.com/trending/feed/talc-2020-recent-developments-in-the-new-decade. Accessed: 07/14/2020.
- J&J to Pay More Than $100 Million to End Over 1,000 Talc Suits. Bloomberg. Retrieved from: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-05/j-j-to-pay-more-than-100-million-to-end-over-1-000-talc-suits. Accessed: 10/06/2020.
- Public Meeting on Testing Methods for Asbestos in Talc and Cosmetic Products Containing Talc. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-news-events/public-meeting-testing-methods-asbestos-talc-and-cosmetic-products-containing-talc-02042020-02042020. Accessed: 01/13/20.
- Preliminary Recommendations on Testing Methods for Asbestos in Talc and Consumer Products Containing Talc. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/media/134005/download. Accessed: 01/13/20.
- Alert: Tests Find Asbestos in Talc-Based Eye Shadow Kits. Environmental Working Group. Retrieved from: https://www.ewg.org/release/alert-tests-find-asbestos-talc-based-eye-shadow-kits. Accessed: 05/19/2020.
- Talcum Trial: Johnson & Johnson Ordered To Pay $40M To Woman. Patch. Retrieved from: https://patch.com/california/studiocity/talcum-trial-johnson-johnson-ordered-pay-40m-woman. Accessed: 02/19/2020.
- Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $300 million in talc cancer case. The Hill. Retrieved from: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/446381-johnson-johnson-ordered-to-pay-300-million-in-talc-cancer-case. Accessed: 02/19/2020.
- Alert: Tests Find High Levels of Asbestos in Children’s Makeup Kit. Environmental Working Group. Retrieved from: https://www.ewg.org/release/alert-tests-find-high-levels-asbestos-children-s-makeup-kit. Accessed: 01/23/2020.
- Johnson & Johnson Sued Over Baby Powder by New Mexico. The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/03/business/johnson-johnson-baby-powder-new-mexico-suit.html. Accessed: 01/06/20.
- Women With Cancer Awarded Billions in Baby Powder Suit. New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/health/baby-powder-cancer.html. Accessed: 06/30/2020.
- J&J Denials of Asbestos in Baby Powder Spur Criminal Probe. Bloomberg. Retrieved from: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-12/j-j-denials-of-asbestos-in-baby-powder-spur-u-s-criminal-probe. Accessed: 07/15/19.
- Johnson & Johnson sets aside $3.9B amid baby powder lawsuits. New York Post. Retrieved from: https://nypost.com/2021/02/23/johnson-johnson-reserves-3-9b-for-baby-powder-lawsuits/. Accessed: 02/25/21.
- Avon Hit With $40 Million Verdict in California Talc Lawsuit. Bloomberg. Retrieved from: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-16/avon-hit-with-40-million-verdict-in-california-talc-lawsuit. Accessed: 12/19/2022.
- FDA Releases Data from the Agency’s 2023 Testing of Talc-Containing Cosmetic Products for Asbestos. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-news-events/fda-releases-data-agencys-2023-testing-talc-containing-cosmetic-products-asbestos. Accessed: 04/07/2024.
- Oregon Jury Awards $260 Million in Mesothelioma Case Against Johnson & Johnson. Yahoo Finance. Retrieved from: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/oregon-jury-awards-260-million-022600759.html. Accessed: 06/04/2024.
