It’s a no-brainer that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder is more popular than others. It has been a household staple for over 125 years. Typically, it was used on infants to prevent diaper rash. Several women also used this powder for feminine hygiene. However, there have been complaints about the product because of its probable health hazards.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), talc has asbestos, which is carcinogenic to humans. There have been studies that suggest that talcum powder with asbestos leads to ovarian and lung cancer and mesothelioma. However, the agency hasn’t confirmed whether asbestos-free talc is harmful to humans.

In April 2023, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $8.9 billion and settle several talcum powder lawsuits. The company also shared that from 2023 on it would stop making and selling talcum baby powder across the globe. So, is J&J’s powder safe? For this, you will need to know whether talc is safe and how it causes cancer. Here, we will shed light on this and J&J’s decision to halt talcum powder production.

Is Talcum Powder Toxic?

Regardless of its widespread use and wholesome image, talc is harmless. Babies are vulnerable to the side effects of talc dust. When inhaled and swallowed, it can cause significant harm. It can lead to chest pain, coughing, wheezing, and problems with breathing.

Keeping in mind these risks, Johnson & Johnson has added a warning label to its baby powder. The brand warns parents to keep the powder away from their child’s face so that they don’t inhale it. Parents who have faced these and other fatal effects have filed a Johnson & Johnson baby powder lawsuit.

These parents and other consumers urged that the brand include an added warning for this product. They have complained that using baby powder for a long time leads to cancer.

Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer: How Does it Happen?

You must consider two schools of thought to understand this. One theory states that talcum powder contains asbestos, which is a carcinogen. Talc mines are situated close to asbestos deposits. No wonder raw talc often has traces of asbestos.

Talc products that were sold in the United States have been free of asbestos since the 1970s. However, it is possible that a section of asbestos-containing products stayed on the market for a longer time. As a result, baby powder might have asbestos in it even today. It is said that cosmetic-grade talc is refined and is free from all impurities. But there is no direct government administration to make sure that it happens.

Now let’s look at the other aspect. Dr. Daniel Cramer, a researcher at Harvard University, studied this issue for almost four decades and shares a different explanation. 

In one of his interviews, he shared with Drugwatch that research highlights, rather ‘convincingly’ that talc causes cancer. He asserts that, when women use talcum powder in their genital areas, minute particles of the product move to the vaginal canal. From there, it travels to her ovaries and can remain there for decades. It can lead to chronic inflammation, which results in ovarian cancer.

Why Did J&J Decide to Stop Making Talc Powder?

Even though it has a reputable name, J&J decided not to make talc powder from 2023. TorHoerman Law states that the company faced its early talcum powder lawsuits in 1999. During this time, a Texas woman suffered from mesothelioma and asked her personal injury lawyer to investigate the matter. The findings concluded that she used J&J’s baby powder all her life, which caused her cancer diagnosis.

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BBC News reported in August 2022 that this healthcare giant had decided to stop sales of talcum powder in the United States. Over the years, the company faced several lawsuits from women complaining that talc powder led to ovarian cancer. Therefore, addressing this concern, the brand declared its decision to manufacture cornstarch-based baby powder. J&J said that this composition is already sold in several countries globally.

Additionally, the company also reiterated that its baby powder is safe for use and doesn’t contain asbestos.

Summing up, on one hand, we have J&J’s firm statement about its talc powder being asbestos-free. On the other hand, there are medical studies and anecdotal accounts that suggest otherwise. Hence, consumers must exercise caution when buying products from this brand. Since cornstarch-based powders are safe, people need not worry. But for talc powder, users must check labels and think twice before using the product.

However, if you develop cancer after using J&J’s talcum you should seek both medical and legal aid.