The Peer-Reviewed Evidence
A landmark 2023 study published in the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology examined 166 people with mesothelioma who had documented cosmetic talc exposure. The findings:
| Finding | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Cases with talc as ONLY asbestos source | 122 (73.5%) |
| Female patients | 124 (74.7%) |
| Male patients | 42 (25.3%) |
| Average age at diagnosis | 63.3 years |
| Average duration of talc use | 40.8 years |
| Average latency period | 52.4 years |
Critical insight: Without documenting talc exposure history, these 122 cases would have been classified as “idiopathic” mesothelioma, cases with no known cause.
Many mesothelioma cases in women without occupational asbestos exposure may be attributable to cosmetic talc. If you’ve used talc products long-term, mention this to your doctor.
Why Talc Contains Asbestos
Talc and asbestos form in the same geological environments. During mining:
- Asbestos fibers mix with talc ore
- Complete separation is not possible with standard processing
- Contamination levels in cosmetic talc have ranged from 0% to 30%
- Industrial talc can contain 50–70% asbestos
The FDA has stated: “There is no established safe level below which asbestos could not cause adverse health effects.”
The Moline Study: Key Details
Study: Moline J, Patel K, Frank AL. “Exposure to cosmetic talc and mesothelioma.” J Occup Med Toxicol. 2023;18:3.
Patient Demographics
- Study period: 2014–2021
- Total cases: 166 mesothelioma patients with talc exposure
- Gender: 74.7% women, 25.3% men
- Age range: 26–94 years (average 63.3)
Exposure Patterns
How patients used talc:
- 80.6% of women used talc for diapering or applying to others
- 52.4% of men reported similar applications
- Average usage duration: 40.8 years (range: 5–76 years)
Exposure categories:
- 122 cases (73.5%): Cosmetic talc was the only known asbestos source
- 44 cases (26.5%): Talc plus additional asbestos exposures
Tumor Characteristics
| Location | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Pleural (lungs) | 65.7% |
| Peritoneal (abdomen) | 31.3% |
| Both | 2.4% |
| Pericardial (heart) | 0.6% |
| Cell Type | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Epithelioid | 75.3% |
| Biphasic | 14.5% |
| Sarcomatoid | 9.6% |
WHO Classification (July 2024)
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified talc as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A) based on:
- Limited evidence of ovarian cancer in occupationally exposed women
- Sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animal studies
- Strong mechanistic evidence of cancer characteristics
Asbestos-contaminated talc is classified as Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans).
Regulatory Status
FDA Actions
- December 2024: FDA proposed mandatory asbestos testing for talc cosmetics under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA)
- November 2025: FDA withdrew the proposed rule
- Current status: No federal requirement for asbestos testing in talc products
European Classification
In September 2024, the European Chemicals Agency classified talc as a Category 1B carcinogen based on evidence of ovarian and lung tumors.
Johnson & Johnson Timeline
Internal documents revealed in court proceedings show:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1970s | Three labs found asbestos in J&J talc (1972–1975) |
| 1973 | Internal memo notes “fiber forming minerals” in talc mine |
| 1971 | J&J paid dermatologist not to publish asbestos findings |
| 2009 | Scientists’ risk report suppressed; FDA cancer warnings blocked |
| 2020 | J&J stops selling talc baby powder in US |
| 2023 | Talc baby powder discontinued globally |
Major Mesothelioma Verdicts (2025)
| Case | Verdict | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Cherie Craft (Baltimore) | $1.56 billion | Baby powder |
| Mae Moore Estate (Los Angeles) | $966 million | Baby powder |
| Anna Jean Carley (Minnesota) | $65.5 million | Baby powder |
| Kyung Lee (Oregon) | $260 million | Baby powder |
As of 2026, over 90,000 lawsuits are pending against Johnson & Johnson related to talc products.
Who Is at Risk?
Primary Risk Groups
Women who used talc products for:
- Personal hygiene (genital area application)
- Applying baby powder to children
- Daily body powder use
Long-term users:
- The Moline study found average usage of 40.8 years among patients
- Latency period averages 52.4 years from first use
Mesothelioma in Women
Research estimates that more than 60% of mesothelioma cases in women may be attributable to non-occupational asbestos exposure. Cosmetic talc is a primary pathway.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma from talc exposure presents the same as other asbestos-caused mesothelioma:
Pleural mesothelioma (65.7% of talc cases):
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Persistent cough
- Fatigue
Peritoneal mesothelioma (31.3% of talc cases):
- Abdominal swelling
- Abdominal pain
- Changes in bowel habits
- Unexplained weight loss
What to Do If You Used Talc Products
Medical Steps
- Document your exposure history: Products used, frequency, duration, years of use
- Inform your doctor: Mention talc use even if you have no occupational asbestos exposure
- Monitor for symptoms: Especially after age 50 if you used talc for decades
- Request evaluation: If you develop respiratory or abdominal symptoms
Legal Considerations
If diagnosed with mesothelioma after talc exposure:
- Document all talc products used throughout your lifetime
- Preserve any remaining product containers
- Gather purchase records if available
- Statute of limitations varies by state
Current Product Safety
Checking Products
- Review ingredients for talc (talcum, magnesium silicate)
- Choose talc-free alternatives (cornstarch-based powders)
- Note that “asbestos-free” claims are not federally verified
J&J Product Changes
- Johnson’s Baby Powder now uses cornstarch in the US
- Talc-based formula discontinued globally in 2023
Can talc powder cause mesothelioma?▼
Yes. A 2023 peer-reviewed study found 122 mesothelioma patients whose only known asbestos exposure was cosmetic talc. Talc and asbestos form in the same geological environments, and asbestos fibers can contaminate talc ore during mining. The FDA has stated there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
Who is most at risk from talc-related mesothelioma?▼
Women who used talc products for personal hygiene or applied baby powder to children for decades are at highest risk. In the Moline study, 74.7% of patients were women, and the average talc usage duration was 40.8 years. The latency period—time from first exposure to diagnosis—averaged 52.4 years.
Are current talc products safe?▼
There is no federal requirement for asbestos testing in talc cosmetics. The FDA proposed mandatory testing in December 2024 but withdrew the rule in November 2025. Johnson & Johnson discontinued talc-based baby powder globally in 2023, switching to cornstarch. If you use talc products, consider switching to talc-free alternatives.
What should I do if I've used talc products for years?▼
Document your exposure history including products used, frequency, duration, and years of use. Inform your doctor about your talc use even if you have no occupational asbestos exposure. Monitor for symptoms, especially after age 50. If you develop respiratory or abdominal symptoms, request evaluation. If diagnosed with mesothelioma, preserve any remaining product containers and consult a qualified attorney.