Talc is used in many cosmetics, including baby powder, eye shadow, face powder, foundation, and blush. It is also used in industrial agents including chalk, pottery, clay, joint compounds, and industrial adhesives. Since the 1960s, the FDA has reviewed scientific literature suggesting a possible association between the use of talc with subsequent incidence of ovarian cancer. There have also been concerns since the 1970s concerning whether talc contains harmful contaminants, such as asbestos, which is the primary cause of mesothelioma, a lung cancer.

Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder

“J&J knew for decades that asbestos lurked in its Baby Powder”

“In 2019, FDA surveyed 50 talc-containing cosmetic products. In March, June, August, and October 2019, FDA confirmed the presence of chrysotile and/or tremolite asbestos in several cosmetic products, which were voluntarily recalled by the companies”. (2) Johnson and Johnson (J&J) was one of those companies. (5)

Previously, “On October 18, 2019, the FDA updated the Safety Alert and issued a new Constituent Update warning consumers not to use certain cosmetic products that tested positive for asbestos”. (1)

Even more concerning, in December of 2018, Reuters published an article claiming that “J&J knew for decades that asbestos lurked in its Baby Powder”. (12) After sifting through thousands of company memos, internal reports, confidential documents, and deposition and trial testimony, Reuters found evidence that J&J knew that some of their products tested positive for asbestos sometimes, and the company did not disclose that to regulators from 1971- early 2000s.

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Asbestos: What it is, Why it’s a Concern, and How to Prevent its Occurrence in Cosmetics

Asbestos is also a naturally occurring silicate mineral, but with a different crystal structure. Both talc and asbestos are naturally occurring minerals that may be found in close proximity in the earth. Unlike talc, however, asbestos is a known carcinogen. There is the potential for contamination of talc with asbestos and therefore, it is important to select talc mining sites carefully and take steps to test the ore sufficiently. (1)

Possible Side Effects of Talcum Powder

  • Mesothelioma
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Breathing Difficulties (including death)
  • Chronic Respiratory Difficulties
  • Interstitial Lung Disease (Talcosis)
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis

Talcum Powder Warnings & Studies

According to the American Cancer Society, many studies have been conducted looking at the connection between frequent use of talcum powder on the female perineal area (genitals) and later development of ovarian cancer. Some studies found no association while “Many case-control studies have found a small increase in risk”. There may be a bias in the case- control studies because they rely on participants remembering use habits of talcum powder that may have occurred years earlier. However, the American Cancer Society found that “One prospective cohort study, which would not have the same type of potential bias, has not found an increased risk. A second found a modest increase in risk of one type of ovarian cancer”. (3) Another study in 2013 concluded “genital powder use is a modifiable exposure associated with small-to-moderate increases in risk of most histologic subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer”. (10) The largest study to date, published in January 2020, gathered data from 252,475 women and found “women who had ever used powder had an 8% increased risk of ovarian cancer compared to those who never used it. The researcher Katie O’Brien stated “That is not a statistically significant increase and it represents an estimated 0.09% increase in risk by age 70”. (11)

Studies have also shown the dangers of using talcum powder on infants. Dangers have included acute and chronic respiratory difficulties and even death after exposure. Dangers of talcum powder use among adults have also included pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease (Talcosis)

Talcum Powder most common topics; lawsuit, cancer, uses, safe, johnson & johnson, ovarian cancer, substitute, alternative.

References:

  1. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/talc
  2. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/01/10/2020-00259/testing-methods-for-asbestos-in-talc-and-cosmetic-products-containing-talc-public-meeting-request
  3. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
  4. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-recalls-alerts/fda-advises-consumers-stop-using-certain-cosmetic-products
  5. https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/baby-powder-manufacturer-voluntarily-recalls-product-asbestos
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621109/
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1669894/
  8. https://err.ersjournals.com/content/19/116/165
  9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7083145
  10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766843/
  11. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/01/07/794386909/study-finds-talcum-powder-not-likely-a-risk-for-ovarian-cancer