Talcum Powder Lawsuits Continue: Recent Developments and Updates

Despite being a common personal hygiene product for many years, talcum powder has recently become the focus of multiple lawsuits. Many of these lawsuits allege that talcum powder use has caused ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and other serious health problems.

Drugwatch has published a report stating that applying talcum powder directly to the genital area or using it on feminine hygiene products may lead to an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The American Cancer Society also recognizes talcum powder as a potential risk factor for ovarian cancer, which is a life-threatening type of cancer that affects the female reproductive system.

In this post, we will look at recent events while offering updates on the newest developments in talcum powder lawsuits.

Background on Talcum Powder Lawsuits

Lawsuits related to talcum powder started appearing in the early 2000s, but it was not until 2016 that they gained public attention. A Reuters article stated that a jury awarded $72 million to a family after a woman’s death from ovarian cancer. The woman’s extended usage of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder, according to the woman’s relatives, caused her cancer.

Since then, Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers have been the targets of thousands of talcum powder lawsuits. Some of these lawsuits have been settled outside of court, and many of them have yielded multi-million dollar verdicts.

There are multiple law firms like TorHoerman Law, LLC, that have been representing individuals in talcum powder lawsuits. Firms like these are familiar with every single talcum powder lawsuit update, which allows them to build a strong case in your favor. They specifically claim that talc dust can enter the female reproductive system and raise the risk of ovarian cancer.

Recent Developments

In an April 2023 update published in The Washington Post, Johnson & Johnson has recently proposed to pay $8.9 billion to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits accusing the company’s talcum powder of causing cancer. The proposal involves a contentious bankruptcy tactic and aims to bring an end to the prolonged litigation that has damaged the company’s reputation over the years.

This development follows the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit’s recent refusal to reexamine its ruling to dismiss Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder bankruptcy filing in March 2023, which paved the way for the resumption of countless Baby Powder lawsuits filed by women who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

AboutLawsuits has previously reported that Johnson & Johnson is currently facing approximately 40,000 lawsuits related to Baby Powder products. Former users have filed these lawsuits claiming that exposure to talc and asbestos particles in the talcum powder caused injuries, including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

The plaintiffs allege that Johnson & Johnson sold these products for many years without warning consumers of the potential health risks, despite knowing the dangers involved.

Role of Government Agencies

The FDA and EPA have both played important roles in the regulation of talcum powder products in recent years. In 2022, the FDA conducted a study that found detectable levels of asbestos in some samples of talc-based cosmetics, including Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder.

Following the FDA study, Johnson & Johnson has faced increased regulatory scrutiny from the FDA. The EPA has also played a role in regulating talcum powder products, particularly with respect to the use of asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials, automotive parts, and other consumer products for decades before its dangers were widely known.

In 1989, the EPA issued a ban on most uses of asbestos, but the ban was overturned by a federal court in 1991. Since then, the EPA has worked to regulate the use of asbestos in consumer products, including talc-based cosmetics. In accordance with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the EPA published a final rule in 2019 that placed additional limitations on the use of asbestos in specific consumer items. However, the rule did not include a ban on the use of talc in cosmetics, which remains a controversial issue.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the talcum powder lawsuits continue to be a controversial issue, with thousands of plaintiffs alleging that the use of talcum powder products has led to serious health problems. Recent developments, including Johnson & Johnson’s proposal to pay $8.9 billion to settle these lawsuits, highlight the severity of the situation.

It is clear that government agencies also have a critical role to play in regulating the use of talc and asbestos in consumer products. Overall, these cases serve as a reminder of the significance of product safety and the necessity for businesses to put customer health ahead of profits.