History of Talcum Powder

2020

May 19

Johnson & Johnson announces it will discontinue sales of its iconic talc-containing Johnson’s Baby Powder in the United States and Canada due to lagging sales and mounting lawsuits alleging its talc-containing products cause cancer.

April 27

The judge overseeing the talc federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Daubert hearings rules that the scientific and medical experts proposed by the plaintiffs’ steering committee are qualified to testify regarding the link between genital talc use and ovarian cancer. The ruling paves the way for future bellwether trials in the MDL.

2019

October 18

Johnson & Johnson issued a recall of one lot – about 33,000 bottles – of Johnson’s Baby Powder after testing by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found chrysotile fibers, a type of asbestos, in the products. The recall prompted some national retailers – including Walmart, Rite Aid, CVS and Target – to pull all 22-ounce bottles Johnson’s Baby Powder from their shelves and in some cases issue a “Do Not Sell” register prompt as a precaution.

March

The FDA issues a statement that it had confirmed reports that talc-containing makeup products for tweens sold by retailers Claire’s and Justice tested positive for asbestos. Justice had recalled its products in question but Claire’s did not. The FDA thus issued a Safety Alert to warn consumers not to use certain Claire’s products due to the risk of asbestos exposure.

February

Johnson & Johnson’s talc supplier, Imerys Talc America, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect itself from more than 14,000 lawsuits alleging its talc causes ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

2018

December 20

Sen. Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts), a member of the U.S. Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee, calls on the Food and Drug Administration to conduct an investigation into allegations raised by the Reuters report that Johnson & Johnson’s talc was contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos.

December 14

Reuters published an exposé that revealed that Johnson & Johnson knew for decades that the raw talc and finished powders used in its talcum powder products contained cancer-causing asbestos.

December 5

Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada issue a warning that talc in cosmetics and natural health products (including face, body and foot powders, body wipes, and genital deodorants) poses a “potential risk of lung effects and ovarian cancer.”

2017

August

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.

May

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.

2016

October

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

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.

February

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.

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.

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.

1993

The National Toxicology Program reports that cosmetic talc could cause tumors in animals.

1992

Researchers determine that regular application of talcum powder to a female’s genital area increases the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer.

1980s

Reports show that accidental inhalation of baby powder by infants can lead to serious illness or death.

1973

FDA requires talcum powders to be asbestos-free by law.

1971

Researchers discover talc particles on 75 percent of ovarian tumors they examined.

1930s

First records of the harmful effects of talc on human tissue.