Talcum, (also known as talc) is a naturally occurring mineral that absorbs moisture and reduces friction. When applied to skin, talc therefore reduces dryness and prevents rashes. Unaware of the mineral’s cancer-causing side effects, companies began using talcum in skin care and hygiene products sold to the public.
Johnson & Johnson manufactured and sold many products containing talcum, including:
After selling talcum powder products for almost 130 years, Johnson & Johnson ceased production and sale of these products in 2023.
Talcum and asbestos are naturally occurring minerals often found alongside one another in the earth. These minerals can be located in such close proximity that miners mining talcum have developed cancer from inhaling the adjacent asbestos, which is a well-known cancer-causing carcinogen.
Mining practices make it difficult to completely separate talcum and asbestos, thereby causing talcum mined for use in feminine hygiene products to be contaminated with asbestos.
Studies have demonstrated a strong link between talcum powder and the development of ovarian cancer in people who have applied these products to their bodies. Even talcum powder products that are asbestos-free have been linked to ovarian cancer.
There are presently thousands of ongoing talcum powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson in the United States. Johnson & Johnson recently proposed a $9 billion USD settlement in the United States to pay out all cases of individuals developing ovarian cancer after using J&J’s talcum powder products.
Slater Vecchio LLP is looking to speak with Canadians or relatives of Canadians who used baby powder and/or shower-to-shower powder produced by Johnson & Johnson and have developed ovarian cancer. Please contact us using the form on this page so we can assess your eligibility for compensation and see if we can help you.
