Talcum powder has been a bathroom staple for over a century. Parents dusted it on babies. Women used it for feminine hygiene. Athletes relied on it to prevent chafing. What most users didn’t know: some talc products were contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen, and the companies selling these products may have known about the risk for decades.
Today, more than 90,000 people have filed lawsuits claiming talc-based products caused their cancer. Juries have awarded billions of dollars in damages. And in 2024, the World Health Organization’s cancer research agency classified talc as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
What Is Talcum Powder?
Talcum powder is made from talc, a naturally occurring mineral composed of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. It’s the softest mineral on Earth, which makes it ideal for absorbing moisture and reducing friction.
Common products containing talc include:
- Baby powder (Johnson’s Baby Powder, now discontinued)
- Body powders (Shower to Shower, Gold Bond)
- Cosmetics (foundation, blush, eyeshadow)
- Feminine hygiene products
- Foot powders
- Some medications (as a filler)
The Asbestos Problem
Talc and asbestos are both naturally occurring minerals that form underground—often in the same deposits. During mining, talc can become contaminated with asbestos fibers that are invisible to the naked eye.
Asbestos is a proven human carcinogen. When inhaled or ingested, microscopic asbestos fibers can lodge in tissue and, over decades, cause:
- Mesothelioma — A rare, aggressive cancer of the lung lining, abdomen, or heart
- Ovarian cancer — When talc is applied to the genital area, fibers may migrate to the ovaries
- Lung cancer — From inhaling contaminated talc dust
The companies mining and selling talc-based products have known about potential asbestos contamination since at least the 1970s. Internal documents revealed during lawsuits show that Johnson & Johnson tested its talc and found asbestos fibers on multiple occasions—but continued selling the products without warning consumers.
Cancers Linked to Talcum Powder
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is the cancer most directly linked to asbestos exposure. When talc contaminated with asbestos is inhaled during regular use (applying powder, breathing it in as dust), the asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma just as occupational asbestos exposure does.
The mesothelioma cases against talc manufacturers have produced some of the largest verdicts:
- $1.56 billion — Cherie Craft (Baltimore, 2025)
- $966 million — Mae Moore estate (Los Angeles, 2025)
- $750 million — Four New Jersey plaintiffs (2020)
Ovarian Cancer
The ovarian cancer connection involves a different pathway. When women apply talcum powder to the genital area or use it on sanitary pads, particles can migrate through the reproductive tract to the ovaries. Studies have found talc particles embedded in ovarian tumors.
Research findings:
- A 2016 study in the journal Epidemiology found a 33% increased risk of ovarian cancer with regular talc use
- A 2020 NIH study found significant association between genital talc use and ovarian cancer
- The IARC reviewed the cumulative evidence and classified talc used in the perineal area as “probably carcinogenic”
Timeline: How We Got Here
The talc-cancer connection has been debated for decades. Here are the key moments:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1971 | First study suggests link between talc and ovarian cancer |
| 1976 | FDA considers talc regulation; industry lobbies against it |
| 1982 | Harvard study confirms talc-cancer association |
| 1999 | Internal J&J memo acknowledges asbestos contamination risk |
| 2006 | First ovarian cancer lawsuit filed against J&J |
| 2016 | $72 million verdict in Alabama (first major plaintiff win) |
| 2018 | $4.69 billion verdict in St. Louis (22 women) |
| 2019 | J&J recalls 33,000 bottles after FDA finds asbestos |
| 2020 | J&J discontinues talc baby powder in US and Canada |
| 2021 | J&J creates LTL Management for bankruptcy maneuver |
| 2023 | 3rd Circuit rejects bankruptcy as “bad faith” |
| 2023 | J&J discontinues talc baby powder globally |
| 2024 | IARC classifies talc as “probably carcinogenic” |
| 2025 | Record $1.56 billion Baltimore verdict |
| 2025 | Third bankruptcy attempt fails |
The Johnson & Johnson Lawsuits
Johnson & Johnson faces more talcum powder lawsuits than any other company—over 67,000 cases as of January 2026. The company has employed increasingly aggressive legal strategies to avoid paying claims:
The “Texas Two-Step” Bankruptcy
In 2021, J&J used an obscure Texas law to create a new subsidiary called LTL Management, transfer all talc liabilities to it, and immediately file for bankruptcy. The strategy aimed to force all 90,000+ claimants into a single bankruptcy proceeding rather than individual trials.
Federal courts rejected this approach three times, ruling that a profitable company cannot use bankruptcy to escape legal accountability. As of 2025, J&J has abandoned the bankruptcy strategy and litigation is proceeding.
Notable Verdicts Against J&J
| Year | Verdict | Case |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.56 billion | Cherie Craft (mesothelioma, Baltimore) |
| 2025 | $966 million | Mae Moore estate (mesothelioma, Los Angeles) |
| 2025 | $65.5 million | Minnesota plaintiff (mesothelioma) |
| 2020 | $750 million | Four plaintiffs (mesothelioma, New Jersey) |
| 2018 | $4.69 billion | 22 women (ovarian cancer, St. Louis) |
Other Products and Companies
While Johnson & Johnson dominates the headlines, other talc products and manufacturers have also faced lawsuits:
Cosmetics
- Claire’s — FDA found asbestos in children’s makeup (2019)
- Various cosmetic brands — Foundation, blush, eyeshadow often contain talc
Industrial Talc
- Imerys Talc — J&J’s talc supplier, filed for bankruptcy in 2019
- Various industrial applications — Rubber, paint, ceramics
What Victims Can Do
If you or a loved one developed cancer after using talcum powder products, several options may be available:
1. File a Lawsuit
Individual lawsuits against talc manufacturers continue to move forward. Victims may be eligible to file if they:
- Used talc-based products regularly
- Were diagnosed with mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, or other asbestos-related disease
- Can document their product use history
2. Join the MDL
The federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) in New Jersey consolidates talcum powder cases for pretrial proceedings. Cases can later be sent back to their home courts for trial.
3. Monitor Settlement Developments
J&J has proposed various settlement frameworks, though none have been finalized. Future settlements may become available as litigation progresses.
Most attorneys handling talcum powder cases work on contingency—you pay nothing unless you recover compensation. Consultations are typically free.
Is Talcum Powder Still Sold?
Johnson & Johnson discontinued its talc-based Baby Powder globally in 2023, replacing it with a cornstarch-based formula. However:
- Some talc-based body powders remain on the market
- Many cosmetics still contain talc
- Products purchased before discontinuation may still be in homes
Safer Alternatives
- Cornstarch-based powders
- Arrowroot powder
- Talc-free cosmetics (increasingly common)
The Science: What Experts Say
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified talc as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A) for genital use and “possibly carcinogenic” (Group 2B) for general use.
The scientific consensus has evolved:
American Cancer Society: Acknowledges studies showing increased ovarian cancer risk with genital talc use; notes the potential asbestos contamination issue.
National Cancer Institute: States that some studies suggest talc use may increase ovarian cancer risk, though findings are mixed.
FDA: Has not banned talc but proposed (then withdrew) rules requiring asbestos testing for cosmetic talc products.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my talcum powder contained asbestos? You cannot tell by looking at it. Asbestos fibers are microscopic. The concern is that talc mined from certain deposits may have been contaminated, and manufacturers did not adequately test or disclose this risk.
Can I still file a lawsuit? Possibly. Statutes of limitations vary by state, but they typically begin running from the date of diagnosis, not the date of exposure. Consult an attorney to evaluate your specific situation.
What if the person who used talcum powder has died? Family members may be able to file wrongful death claims. Several large verdicts have been awarded to estates of deceased users.
Is all talc dangerous? Not necessarily. The risk comes from talc contaminated with asbestos. Talc from certain mines appears to have higher contamination rates. The problem is that consumers had no way to know which products were safe.
Related Resources
Talc Cancer & Health
- Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer
- Talcum Powder and Mesothelioma
- Is Talcum Powder Safe?
- Products Containing Talc
Legal & Compensation
- Talcum Powder Lawsuits Guide
- Talc Settlement Amounts & Verdicts
- How to File a Talc Claim
- Asbestos Trust Funds
Latest News & Data
References
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2024-07-05). IARC Monographs: Talc.
https://monographs.iarc.who.int/news-events/iarc-classifies-talc-as-probably-carcinogenic-to-humans/
National Institutes of Health. (2020-01-07). Talc-Based Powder and Risk of Ovarian Cancer.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31994899/
Epidemiology (Journal). (2016-05). Perineal Use of Talcum Powder and Risk of Ovarian Cancer.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26689397/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019-10-18). FDA Advises Consumers to Stop Using Certain Cosmetic Products.
https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-compliance-enforcement/fda-advises-consumers-stop-using-certain-cosmetic-products
U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. (2026-01-15). Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Litigation MDL.
https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_Actions_Pending-January-15-2026.pdf