What is Talc?

Talc is a mineral that is composed of different elements, mainly magnesium, silicon and oxygen. Talc is a mineral made of up various elements including magnesium, silicon and oxygen. Talc is ground to make talcum powder which is used to absorb moisture and is widely available in various products including baby powder and adult products including body and facial powder.

Talc Timeline

  • 1930s – First records of the harmful effects of talc on human tissue
  • 1971 – Researchers discover talc particles on 75 percent of ovarian tumors they examined
  • 1973 – FDA requires talcum powders to be asbestos-free by law
  • 1980s – Reports show that accidental inhalation of baby powder by infants can lead to serious illness or death
  • 1992 – Researchers determine that regular application of talcum powder to a female’s genital area increases the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer
  • 1993 – The National Toxicology Program reports that cosmetic talc could cause tumors in animals
  • 2003 – Anticancer Research journal published a large scale review of various reviews, stating that there was a 33 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer with long-term use of talcum powder products
  • 2013 – Deanne Berg won the suit against Johnson & Johnson after it failed to warn consumers of the risk of developing ovarian cancer due to its talcum powder products
  • February 2016 - A jury in City of St. Louis, Missouri, Circuit Court found Johnson & Johnson liable for the development of Plaintiff Jacqueline Fox’s ovarian cancer and awarded her family a verdict of $72 million. Ms. Fox passed away from her cancer in October 2015. The verdict includes $10 million in actual damages and $62 million in punitive damages.
  • May 2016 - A jury in City of St. Louis, Missouri, Circuit court found Johnson & Johnson liable for the development of Plaintiff Gloria Ristesund's ovarian cancer. The jury awarded her a verdict of $55 million, which included $5 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages.
  • October 2016 - A jury in City of St. Louis Circuit Court found Johnson & Johnson liable for injuries resulting from the use of its talc-containing products and awarded Plaintiff Deborah Giannecchini $70.075 million after agreeing the products contributed to the development of her ovarian cancer. For the first time, a jury also found J&J talc supplier Imerys liable for damages as well. The verdict includes $575,000 in medical damages, $2 million in compensatory damages, and $65 million in punitive damages.
  • May 2017 - A jury in the City of St. Louis found J&J, along with its talc supplier, Imerys Talc America, liable for Plaintiff Lois Slemp’s ovarian cancer, and awarded a verdict of more than $110 million. The verdict includes $5.4 million in compensatory damages, and $105 million in punitive damages.
  • August 2017 - On Aug. 21, a Los Angeles, California, jury awarded Plaintiff Eva Echeverria $417 million, finding Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products responsible for her ovarian cancer. This was the first of hundreds of similar cases filed in California to go to trial.

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