Talcum Powder

Research dating back to the 1960s raised concerns about talc and its connection to cancer. Some studies found that talc particles—and asbestos, which can occur naturally with talc—may travel through the reproductive system and cause inflammation in the ovaries.

We became involved in talcum powder litigation after several epidemiological studies confirmed this association. For more than a decade, our attorneys have tried these cases across the country, holding Johnson & Johnson accountable for failing to warn consumers about known risks.

These efforts have led to landmark jury verdicts totaling more than $724 million. They also helped pressure Johnson & Johnson to stop selling its talcbased Baby Powder worldwide. In 2025, a federal court dismissed Johnson & Johnson’s third attempt to resolve these cases through bankruptcy, sending the litigation back to the courtroom.

For decades, researchers have examined talcum powder and ovarian cancer, with studies consistently linking genital talc use to increased risk.

• Ovarian cancer affects about 20,000 women in the U.S. each year and is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women.
• Talc particles were first found in ovarian tumors in the early 1970s.
• A 1982 study was among the first to link genital talc use to ovarian cancer.
• A 2016 study found African American women who used talc for feminine hygiene had a 40% higher risk.
• A 2022 metaanalysis reported a 31%–65% increased risk with frequent genital talc use.
• In 2024, a study by the National Institutes of Health, known as the Sister Study, found a clear association between longterm genital talc use and ovarian cancer risk.