Dangers Associated with Baby Powder with Talc

Most adults remember J & J baby powder with talc fondly—the silky feel, and the recognizable smell. Baby powder with talc was first developed in the early 1890s, but as early as 1913 J & J was advertising their baby powder to adults as well, with their “Best for Baby, Best for You,” advertising campaign. By 1965, another J & J ad read, “Want to feel cool, smooth and dry? It’s as easy as taking powder from a baby.”

Johnson and Johnson estimated that by 1985 at least 70 percent of baby powder with talc was being used by adults, more specifically, women. J & J’s baby powder with talc was advertised to women to be used for feminine hygiene purposes, evinced by the ad, “Your body perspires in more places than just under your arms.” Unfortunately, it appears as though J & J was aware of the potential for harm for women using their talc-based products for feminine hygiene.

In 1971, researchers found talc fibers embedded in ovarian and cervical tumors. The theory was that the microscopic fibers traveled up through the reproductive system to embed in the ovaries. These fibers caused significant inflammation over time, and inflammation is a well-known risk for cancer. Dr. Daniel Cramer noted there are five meta-analyses on the association of talcum powder and ovarian cancer. All five found a “significant positive association between the use of talc and ovarian cancer.”

Where Does the Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Litigation in Sioux Falls, South Dakota Stand?

Deane Berg, a woman from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, filed the first lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson after she developed ovarian cancer at the young age of 49 from using J & J baby powder with talc for feminine hygiene since her teenage years. The jury in Berg’s case found in her favor while awarding no money. Over the next decade, a significant number of cases were decided in favor of the plaintiffs, however, J & J appealed each decision that was not in its favor.

One of the largest awards from 2018 was appealed, however, in June 2020 a Missouri Appeals Court upheld the decision, although the punitive portion of the lawsuit was decreased. J & J has said it will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. There are currently as many as 20,000 lawsuits pending against J & J for baby powder ovarian cancer. Some of those lawsuits are from women in South Dakota.   

Has J & J Baby Powder with Talc Been Recalled in the U.S.?

The FDA has not recalled J & J’s talc-based products despite the fact that in 2006 the IARC declared talc as being “possibly carcinogenic. In the U.S., the FDA has little control over beauty products and cosmetics, which could be one reason talc-based products have not been recalled. After the IARC made its announcement, the company that sold talc to J & J added their own warning on the safety data sheet, stating when used for feminine hygiene talcum powder was a possible risk factor for ovarian cancer. J & J announced in May 2020 that it would no longer be selling talc-based products in the U.S. and Canada while continuing to maintain the safety of their products.

Have the Statutes of Limitations Passed in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for My Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Case?

If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using J & J’s talc-based product, you may be entitled to file a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit seeking damages for your injuries. The statutes of limitations vary from state to state, providing the window of time you have to file a product liability claim for a dangerous or defective product. These statutes can be impacted by a number of issues, therefore, you should always speak with an experienced product liability lawyer to determine where you stand and to receive a comprehensive assessment of your Sioux Falls, South Dakota talcum powder claim.

How Could Consulting with a Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Attorney Help with Your Sioux Falls, South Dakota Claim?  

If you have received a diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer after using a Johnson & Johnson talc-based product for feminine hygiene purposes, you could benefit from speaking to a Sullo & Sullo baby powder ovarian cancer lawyer. We can answer all your questions, assisting you in making the best decisions for your health and your future.