Talcum Powder and Asbestos

What Is Talcum Powder?

Talcum powder is made of talc, a soft mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate. Talc can be green, white or gray and has a texture like soap. 

Manufacturers grind talc down until it’s a fine powder that absorbs moisture and reduces friction. Talcum powder became popular as an ingredient in baby powder, cosmetics and deodorant. It is used for its ability to prevent chafing and skin rashes, as well as disguise odor. 

For more than 100 years, Johnson & Johnson has been the most famous name in talcum powder, mainly through its line of baby powders. Men and women of all ages use baby powder and other talc-containing products routinely.

Court documents show J&J officials knew asbestos had been in its popular Johnson’s Baby Powder product since the 1950s. In 2023, the company stopped selling talc in its products worldwide. J&J was facing over 61,000 asbestos lawsuits in August 2024.

Is Talcum Powder Dangerous?

Talc dust can irritate the lungs. It can cause coughs, chest pain and shortness of breath. Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital say breathing in talcum powder can lead to lung problems or death. This applies to pure talcum powder and asbestos-contaminated talcum powder.

The World Health Organization says pure talc is “probably carcinogenic.” They say genital (perineal) use of pure talc has limited evidence for causing ovarian cancer. The organization also classifies asbestos-contaminated talc as definitely carcinogenic to humans. Some consumer and industrial products have contained dangerous levels of asbestos-contaminated talc.

Potential Health Risks of Talcum Powder

Both the National Institutes of Health and the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer released talc reports in 2024. They covered the potential health risks of talcum powder. A May 2024 NIH report found an increased risk of ovarian cancer among heavy talcum powder users. In July 2024, the IARC declared pure talc as probably carcinogenic.

The NIH’s study looked at more than 50,000 women who frequently used talcum powder. The IARC classified talc in Group 2A. It is its “second highest” cancer risk level. This is based on evidence of ovarian cancer in humans. The IARC also reported strong lab evidence that talc is carcinogenic to human cells.

Health Risks of Talcum Powder

• Lung Cancer: Studies found excess lung cancer cases in talc miners worldwide. They also found asbestos in talc samples.
• Mesothelioma: Asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos-contaminated talc has been linked to mesothelioma.
• Ovarian Cancer: Some studies link talc to ovarian cancer. The evidence is strong against asbestos-contaminated talcum powder.
• Talcosis or Talc Pneumoconiosis: This pulmonary disorder is linked in studies to mining and milling asbestos-contaminated talc. A few talcosis cases linked to cosmetic talc products are documented in medical literature.

Both pure talcum powder and asbestos-contaminated talc are associated with serious medical conditions. Those at risk include users of talcum powder and workers exposed to talc during its production or industrial use. Parents shouldn’t use talcum powder on babies. It can cause fatal aspiration. After using baby powder and developing cancer, thousands of women filed lawsuits against J&J and others. These claims allege that repeated use of talc led to ovarian cancer.

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Talcum Powder and Mesothelioma

Talc with asbestos can cause mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers. Malignant mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 60 years.

The risk of developing an asbestos disease from exposure to contaminated talc varies. It depends on the duration and amount of exposure. The risk is dose-dependent. It increases with longer, higher levels of asbestos exposure. Long-term exposure to low-level asbestos concentrations can cause cancer. So can short-term exposure to high-level concentrations.

Talc and asbestos can naturally form so closely together that mining practices cannot keep them separated. This fact has been documented in geology books as early as 1872.

Not every talc deposit contains asbestos. But most are contaminated by it. Talc deposits tend to contain the most toxic forms of asbestos, such as tremolite or anthophyllite. These forms are more carcinogenic than chrysotile, the most-used type of asbestos.

Asbestos-Contaminated Talc Research 

Higher levels of contamination carry a higher risk of mesothelioma. Different grades of talc have different amounts of asbestos. Industrial talc has the highest asbestos levels reaching 50% to 70%. Since the late 1960s, tests of cosmetic talc found asbestos levels from 0% to 30%.

Asbestos-Contaminated Talc Research

• May 2024: An NIH report found an increased risk of ovarian cancer among heavy talcum powder users. More than 50,000 women were included.
• January 2023: Researchers described 166 cases of mesothelioma. The cases were in people who had substantial exposure to cosmetic talc products. In 122 cases, cosmetic talc was the only known source of asbestos exposure.
• May 2021: Italian researchers published a review of primary ovarian mesothelioma. They presented a case of a patient who described perineal use of talcum powder from 1933 to 1980.
• April 2021: A review of the inhalation toxicity of talc reported a rise in cases of mesothelioma and lung cancer among talc miners and millers. Mesothelioma and asbestosis in metal casting workers using asbestos-contaminated talc was reported too.
• March 2021: One case series described 75 patients with pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma whose only known exposure to asbestos was through contaminated talcum powder.
• 2019: A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine presented case studies of 33 people with mesothelioma whose only exposure to asbestos was using asbestos-contaminated talcum powder.
• 2002: An exposure study was published in the Annals of Work Exposures and Health. It found excess cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related lung diseases among talc miners in upstate New York. The mines involved in the study are in the counties of St. Lawrence and Jefferson, the hub of which was Gouverneur, where R.T. Vanderbilt Company Inc. operated a talc mine. Researchers say the talc mines in this area contain asbestos and asbestiform minerals.

Finding asbestos-free talc deposits throughout the world has been challenging for manufacturers. A J&J company memo from 1969 unsealed through litigation said it was normal for tremolite asbestos to occur in U.S. talc deposits. By this time, the company had spent more than a decade purchasing talc mines throughout the world in search of a pure source.

Who Is at Risk of Asbestos-Contaminated Talc Exposure?

Children, adult consumers and workers in specific industries remain at risk of exposure to asbestos-contaminated talcum powder. Tests as recent as 2018 and as far back as 2000 have revealed asbestos-contaminated talcum powder in kid’s toys and makeup. In 2024, testing showed asbestos in Dynacare brand baby powder.

People at Risk of Asbestos-Contaminated Talc Exposure

Barbers and Hairdressers:

Hairdressers, barbers and their family members are at risk of exposure to cosmetic-grade talcum powder. It is used to prevent chafing and irritation after haircuts.

Ceramics Workers:

Talc is a filler in ceramics. It improves thermal shock resistance. This gives strength after firing.

Children:

Contaminated toys have included crayons, modeling clay and amateur crime lab kits. Contaminated children’s makeup was sold at Justice and Claire’s stores.

Consumers:

Adults are at risk of contaminated talcum powder. It mainly comes from cosmetics and personal care products. These include makeup, body powders and shaving products.

Paint Makers and Industrial Paint Sprayers:

In paint, talc offers a layer of weather and corrosion resistance.

Talc Miners and Millers:

Mine and mill workers likely face the highest exposure to raw talc and nearby asbestos. They also wear protective equipment to reduce exposure.

Anyone who has used talc consistently for many years, or has a known history of asbestos exposure, should talk with their doctor at the first sign of any respiratory symptoms. Also, you may want to see a mesothelioma specialist or a pulmonologist who treats asbestos diseases.

Asbestos-Contaminated Talc in Johnson’s Baby Powder

In 2022, J&J announced it would halt all sales of talc-based baby powder worldwide. This was a reversal of J&J’s previously announced plan to continue international sales of talc-based baby powder because demand remained high. 

In May 2020, Johnson & Johnson announced it would stop selling its talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada. It would sell a cornstarch-based version instead. The company claimed the decision to change was the result of a decline in sales and “misinformation” around the product’s safety.

Ending sales of its talc-based baby powder followed a contamination scandal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration found asbestos in a bottle of Johnson’s Baby Powder in 2019. This report forced the company to issue a recall of the batch associated with the bottle.

Proposed Settlement in Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

In June 2024, J&J offered to pay $700 million to settle an investigation initiated by 42 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. State officials accused J&J of misleading marketing practices claiming its talc products, including Johnson’s Baby Powder, were safe. 

The agreement resolves accusations that J&J misled consumers. Johnson & Johnson admits no wrongdoing and denies violating the law. They claim its talc-based products were contaminated with asbestos, leading to cases of mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.

Additional Talc Products Containing Asbestos

Talc products containing asbestos have included personal hygiene products, cosmetics, children’s toys and industrial talc products. Talc is a common ingredient in many home and industrial goods. The most widely used consumer talc product is talcum powder. 

Between 1948 and 2017, 66% of 1,032 cosmetic talc products tested through litigation were positive for asbestos.

Companies With Asbestos-Contaminated Talc Products

• Beauty Plus Global Inc.
• Chanel
• Claire’s
• Colgate-Palmolive
• Imerys Talc America Inc.
• Johnson & Johnson
• Justice
• Shulton Co. (now owned by Procter & Gamble)
• Vanderbilt Minerals
• Whittaker, Clark & Daniels

Asbestos contamination in talc products has varied. Cosmetics had trace amounts. Some industrial products, like Nytal, had higher than 50%.

Not every talc product contains asbestos, but it’s impossible to detect on your own. Only testing can reveal if a product is contaminated. The FDA’s follow-up testing of cosmetic talc products in 2021 and 2022 revealed no asbestos in 100 samples.

Talc in Makeup

In addition to talcum powder, cosmetic-grade talc is in many cosmetic products. Examples include foundation, creams and moisturizers, eye shadow, blush and mascara. Cosmetic-grade talc is approximately 98% pure talc.

Talc-Containing Cosmetics With Asbestos

• Beauty Glazed Gorgeous Me Eye Shadow Tray Palette
• City Color Cosmetics Timeless Beauty Palette
• Claire’s Rainbow Glitter Heart-Shaped Makeup Set
• Claire’s Pink Glitter Palette with Eyeshadow & Lip Gloss
• JoJo Siwa Makeup Set
• Justice Just Shine Shimmer Powder

In November 2020, the Environmental Working Group found asbestos-contaminated talc in three out of 21 cosmetics samples tested. The FDA found asbestos in nine out of 52 cosmetics samples in 2019. 

In 2017 and 2018, several cases of talc contamination involved children’s makeup. It was sold by national retailers Justice and Claire’s. Other children’s toys containing asbestos-contaminated talc have included crayons, modeling clay and crime-scene kits. 

Industrial Talc Products

Industrial talc is used in many modern products, like paint and glazes. It improves texture, matting and adhesion. The paper industry uses talc to improve print quality and reduce friction. Wastewater treatment plants also use talc to purify water.

Industrial Talc Products

• Anti-caking agent in animal feed
• Artware and finishing glazes
• Ceramic toilets, sinks and tiles
• Clay and pottery
• Crayons and chalk
• Electrical cables and switchboards
• Household appliances
• Jointing compounds, putties and adhesives
• Paper and ink products
• Plastic and rubber automotive parts
• Rubber gloves

Industrial-grade talc contains other minerals. Their amounts vary by source. For example, the industrial talc product used in ceramics known as Nytal 100 contained 30% talc, 40% tremolite, 20% serpentine chrysotile and 10% anthophyllite asbestos.

Talc Lawsuits for Asbestos Exposure

Plaintiffs diagnosed with asbestos disease who were exposed to contaminated talc are filing talc lawsuits. Family members who lose loved ones to related diseases file claims as well. Courts have awarded millions of dollars in recent talc lawsuits. 

Records revealed in lawsuits show that some manufacturers and talc suppliers were aware of asbestos contamination and tried to cover it up. Examples include Vanderbilt Minerals, Imerys Talc America and Whittaker, Clark & Daniels. In one example, Imerys blended its talc with other sources of talc to dilute the asbestos concentration.

Asbestos-Contaminated Talc Verdicts

• Avon: Two notable talc verdicts involve mesothelioma survivors Cipriano Ramirez and Rita-Ann Chapman. Ramirez worked as a janitor in an Avon facility in Illinois. He was awarded $24.4 million in July 2024. Chapman was a life-long talc user and was awarded $52.1 million in December 2022.
• Cashmere Bouquet: A woman developed mesothelioma after using Colgate-Palmolive’s Cashmere Bouquet talcum powder. She was awarded $13 million in 2015.
• Desert Flower: Florence Nemeth, a Desert Flower Dusting Powder user, developed peritoneal mesothelioma. She was awarded $16.5 million in 2017 in her suit against Whittaker, Clark & Daniels.
• Imerys & Vanderbilt: The estate of a man who died of mesothelioma from contaminated talc in paint was awarded $22 million in 2017. The suit was filed against Imerys Talc America and Vanderbilt Minerals.
• Johnson & Johnson: In a July 2023 baby powder lawsuit, a California jury ordered the company to pay $18.8 million to a 24-year-old man. He claimed he developed mesothelioma from using Johnson’s Baby Powder since he was a child.
• Old Spice: Mesothelioma survivors Willie McNeal Jr. and Philip Depoian both filed lawsuits against Whittaker, Clark & Daniels. McNeal, a 20-year Old Spice talcum powder user, was awarded $4.8 million in May 2021. Depoian, whose father’s barber shop used Old Spice talcum powder, was awarded $18 million in 2016.

Many companies sourced their talc from asbestos-contaminated mines, including sites in New York, North Carolina, Alabama, Vermont and northern Italy. Some of the products sold in the U.S. that tested positive for asbestos, including children’s makeup sold by Claire’s stores, were made in China. It has no regulations for asbestos or talc. 

Compensation is available through a personal injury lawsuit. People who develop mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos-contaminated talcum powder qualify to file. If you’ve lost a loved one to an asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Settlements resolve most of these lawsuits, and others get resolved through a jury trial.

J&J Talc Litigation

Asbestos lawsuits against J&J have cost the company billions in settlements and jury verdicts. It has spent $1 billion in legal defense and $3.5 billion on plaintiff awards. J&J’s plan to resolve its talc liabilities got enough votes in August 2024 from claimants to attempt another bankruptcy filing.

In April 2022, U.S. federal Judge Michael Kaplan ruled that J&J’s bankruptcy plan did not halt a class-action lawsuit that workers filed over industrial talc in the 1980s.

In October 2021, J&J created a subsidiary to absorb its talc liabilities. The subsidiary declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It will create a plan to settle ongoing and future talc lawsuits. Asbestos manufacturers similarly use bankruptcy proceedings to create asbestos trust funds.

J&J settled roughly 1,000 talc lawsuits in October 2020 for more than $100 million. The Missouri Court of Appeals ordered the company in June 2020 to pay $2.1 billion to 22 women who claimed Johnson’s Baby Powder caused ovarian cancer. The company also paid out millions in individual lawsuits, including $325 million in 2019 to Donna Olsen. She claimed she developed mesothelioma after using Johnson’s Baby Powder.

UK Residents File Talc Lawsuits

Residents of the United Kingdom began filing talc lawsuits in U.S. courts in 2019. Rulings from these cases determined that U.S. courts are the best venue for U.K. residents’ talc lawsuits. U.K. women have received multimillion-pound awards since these rulings. 

In 2019, Hanna Louise Fletcher filed the first U.K. talc lawsuit in New York City courts. It claimed she developed mesothelioma at the age of 45. The lawsuit said she used her mother’s talc products as a child. It also claimed she bought contaminated talc products in the U.S. while on vacation. 

The judge ruled that the case should remain in New York because it’s the defendants’ principal place of business. The fact that the plaintiff purchased products in New York also played a role in the judge’s ruling.

Common Questions About Talcum Powder and Asbestos

Is talcum powder safe to use?

Many companies, including J&J, claim that talc is safe for cosmetic and personal hygiene products. However, recent research and multiple cancer organizations warn that contaminated talcum powder can increase the risk of mesothelioma, ovarian cancer and other malignancies. Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital caution that breathing in uncontaminated talcum powder can lead to lung problems or death.

How can I protect myself from asbestos exposure in talc products?

The best way to protect yourself from asbestos in talc is to not use talc-containing products. If you must use talc but are worried about asbestos, follow the Occupational Safety & Health Administration guidelines for asbestos workers. They will reduce your exposure. For example, protections include using a respirator mask with a HEPA-filter and wearing disposable clothing, shoe covers and goggles.

What are some safe alternatives to talcum powder?

The most common alternative to talcum powder is cornstarch. It is widely available in grocery stores, drugstores, and online. Cornstarch provides many of the same benefits as talcum powder without the risk of cancer. Other alternatives include baking soda, tapioca starch, rice starch and oat flour.

How does asbestos get into talcum powder?

Talc and asbestos are minerals that naturally form close to one another. Talc deposits are often contaminated with asbestos. They are difficult to separate, which is how asbestos ends up in the final product.

How does talcum powder cause cancer?

Asbestos in contaminated talcum powder can be inhaled while applying the product. If used on the genitals, asbestos can travel inside the body. Once inside the body, asbestos fibers travel to sensitive tissues in the pelvis, chest and abdomen. They slowly cause diseases such as mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.

Can you get compensation for talc-related mesothelioma?

Asbestos in talc causes mesothelioma. Affected patients can file an asbestos claim. A mesothelioma lawyer helps patients get compensation for medical costs and related expenses.

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