Asbestos in Cosmetics & Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits
Cincinnati Asbestos Lawyer Reviews Asbestos in Cosmetics: Which Consumer Talc Products Contain Asbestos?
Toxic tort suits have been filed against large consumer product manufacturers over fears that many talc-containing products can also contain toxins like asbestos. Companies stand accused of including asbestos in cosmetics, and common powder products. Johnson & Johnson and other corporations have battled allegations that their popular baby powder has contained asbestos for many years, leading to dangerous forms of cancer in American consumers.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and may lead to mesothelioma and other deadly forms of cancer with short or chronic exposure. Several health safety agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have warned that even a brief exposure to asbestos may lead to lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. An ovarian cancer risk has also been studied in recent years.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Cincinnati Asbestos Attorney and Ohio personal injury lawyer representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of toxic tort, product liability and talc asbestos-related ovarian cancer claims.
Toxic Talcum Powder: Asbestos in Cosmetics
Not all of your cosmetics are toxic, but then again many of them have not been properly tested by the manufacturer, third party labs and health safety agencies. The FDA does not have the resources to test every cosmetic that hits the market, and as a result the onus of product safety is placed on the cosmetic companies.
Johnson and Johnson is one of the biggest American corporations, and does the resources to properly test products before they are marketed and distributed. And still the company may choose not to. But when products like baby powder and talcum powder are used under the assumption that they are safe, and they cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, plaintiffs can file product liability lawsuits.
Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral made up mainly of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. It is widely used in cosmetic products such as baby powder and adult body and facial powders, as well as other consumer products. In its natural state, some talc contains asbestos, a substance known to cause cancers. Consumer talc-based cosmetic products tested for asbestos by the FDA, include the following:
- Claire’s Makeup Products
- Maybelline New York Expert Wear Blush
- Y.C. New York Color Cheek Glow Powder Blush
- Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner
- Black Radiance Eyeshadow Quartet
- Stilla Eye Shadow Trio
- Dior 5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow
- Black Opal True Color Liquid Foundation
- Laura Mercier Foundation Powder
- LA Colors Pressed Powder
- Revlon Color Stay Pressed Powder
- Cover Girl TruBlend Mineral Loose Mineral Powder
- Physician’s Formula Summer Eclipse Bronzing & Shimmery Face Powder
- Iman Luxury Pressed Powder
- Coty Air Spun Loose Face Powder
- Black Opal Color Fusion Powder
- Black Radiance Pressed Powder
- Posner Finishing Touch Pressed Powder
- Y.C. New York Color Loose Face Powder
- Almay Nearly Naked Loose Powder
- Clinique Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder
- BeneFit Hello Flawless Custom Powder Cover-Up
- Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights Intermix Pressed Powder
- Guerlain Meteorites Poudre de Perles Illuminating Perfecting Pressed Powder
- Urban Decay Baked Bronzer
- Johnson’s Baby Powder
- CVS Brand Baby Powder
- Rite Aid Baby Powder
- Anti Monkey Butt Powder
- Assured Shower & Bath Absorbent Body Powder
- Angel of Mine Baby Powder
- Family Dollar Mild Baby Powder
- Shower to Shower Morning Fresh Absorbent Body Powder
Does Talcum Powder Cause Cancer?
When assessing cancer risks in cosmetic products, it is important to distinguish between talc powder that contains asbestos and asbestos-free talc. Talc that has asbestos is generally accepted as having the potential to cause cancer.
It has been argued that asbestos in cosmetics, and specifically in talcum powder, may cause cancer in the ovaries if powder particles travel through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes to the ovary. One study suggested genital talcum powder use may slightly increase the risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer in women.
Based on some evidence from studies of a link to ovarian cancer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies the perineal (genital) use of talc-based body powder as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
There are thousands of new lung cancer and mesothelioma cases each year linked to asbestos exposure. The majority of mesothelioma and respiratory illness cases are related to workplace injury and industrial asbestos exposure. But then there are the other less common cases caused by household asbestos exposure.
Ohio Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits
Lawsuits across the country allege that asbestos in cosmetics and talc products directly causes women to develop ovarian cancer. This association is relatively new, although countless previous lawsuits have linked asbestos products to mesothelioma, a cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure.
- Johnson and Johnson recently settled a few baby powder cancer cases, which is an interesting sign for plaintiffs involved in the 13,000 pending talcum powder cancer cases. The company may be working toward settling as many cases as possible, instead of trying each on individually.
- In 2016, a California jury awarded an $18 million verdict against talc supplier Whittaker, Clark & Daniels, linking a mesothelioma case to a talcum powder product.
- In April 2015, a California woman won a $13 million lawsuit against Colgate-Palmolive after a woman developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure in Colgate’s Cashmere Bouquet talcum powder.
- Several women have filed suit against Johnson & Johnson after developing ovarian cancer, which plaintiffs’ argue is caused by asbestos in the company’s powder products.
Asbestos in Cosmetic Products FAQ
Is Baby Powder Safe to Use?
Companies who have sold talcum powder products to consumers for many years have broken consumer trust by selling dangerous products. Now each time we buy a consumer product we question its safety. Talc products and cosmetics are safe for the most part, but it is not recommended to use baby powder near the genitalia in fear that any toxins will trigger ovarian cancer.
Is My Cancer Related to Tainted Baby Powder?
The Lyon Firm works with medical experts to determine the root cause of your mesothelioma or ovarian cancer. If you have used baby powder regularly for many years, and have been diagnosed with cancer, there is a chance your cancer has been at least in part been caused by tainted talcum powder.
Can I file a Asbestos Cosmetics Cancer Lawsuit?
Joe Lyon has experience reviewing and settling a wide variety of toxic exposure cases on behalf of plaintiffs nationwide. Contact Mr. Lyon and he will review your case carefully for free. Due to statutes of limitations, injured plaintiffs are urged to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one has suffered an asbestos-related cancer after using talcum powder or cosmetics, and have questions about the legal remedies available to improve quality of life and medical care in Ohio, contact The Lyon Firm at (800) 513-2403. You will speak directly with Mr. Lyon, and he will help you answer these critical questions.