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Talcum Powder

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Manufacturer 

 

Johnson & Johnson                           $353.99 Billion
Johnson’s Baby Powder  
Shower to Shower

 

FDA Approval 

 

N/A

 

MDL Information 

 

MDL No. 2738 (District of New Jersey)

Background

Johnson's Baby Powder was an invention of Dr. Frederick B. Kilmer, company's first director of scientific affairs. In 1892 he got a letter from a physician noting that patients suffered skin irritations after using medicated plasters. Kilmer suggested to use scented Italian talcum powder to mitigate the irritation and sent a can to the doctor. These patients discovered that the talc also helped alleviate diaper rash, and they told the Company.  As a result, JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder made its debut in 1893, went on the market in 1894, and the Company’s baby products business was born.

 

Treatment / Use

 
These powders are often used to prevent or treat diaper rash around infants' bottoms and genital areas. Women also commonly use these powders on their genitals to reduce feminine odors. Adult men and women may also use baby powder on other parts of their body to soothe rashes or ease friction on the skin.

Injuries / Complications / Concerns

 
Numerous studies have indicated a possible link between long-term use of talcum powder and ovarian cancer.  In 2003, Meta-analysis from more than one dozen studies revealed a 30% increase in ovarian cancer for women who regularly used talc.  More recently, a 2013 study showed a 24% increase in ovarian cancer among women who used talcum powder, while another study showed an increased risk as high as 41%.
 
It is believed that talcum powder can travel through the vagina, into the uterus and along the fallopian tubes to the ovaries.
 
It has been reported that Johnson & Johnson new for decades that talc contained asbestos, as well as hiding reports of the link between ovarian cancer and its talcum powder.
 
The following is an INTERNAL slide from a talc supplier – it depicts a mocked Monopoly board showing what needs to occur to get the product (talc) to market.

Information on the Topic of Roundup

Baby Powder Manufacturer Voluntarily Recalls Products for Asbestos (10-18-2019)

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/baby-powder-manufacturer-voluntarily-recalls-products-asbestos

 

J&J Faces Criminal Investigation Over Baby Powder’s Potential Cancer Risks (7-12-2019)

https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-johnson-baby-powder-talc-asbestos-cancer-20190712-story.html

 

Johnson & Johnson Hit With $300 Million in Punitive Damages in Talc Case (5-31-2019)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/johnson-johnson-hit-with-300-million-in-punitive-damages-in-talc-case-11559339141

 

Sudden Talc-Cancer Settlements Aren’t J&J’s Usual Style (3-28-2019)

https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2019/03/28/290073.htm

 

California Jury Awards $29 Million to Woman with Cancer Who Used J&J Talc (3-13-2019)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-johnson-johnson-cancer-lawsuit/california-jury-awards-29-million-to-woman-with-cancer-who-used-jj-talc-idUSKCN1QV016

Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $4.7 billion to women who say baby powder gave them cancer (7-13-2018)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2018/07/13/johnson-johnson-ordered-to-pay-4-7-billion-to-women-who-say-baby-powder-gave-them-cancer/

 

Johnson & Johnson Knew for Decades that Asbestos Lurked in Some of its Baby Powder (12-14-2018)

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/johnson-johnson-knew-decades-asbestos-lurked-its-baby-powder-n948016

 

Johnson & Johnson Hopes to Reverse Baby Powder Lawsuits (11-7-2016)

https://fortune.com/2016/11/07/jj-talcum-powder-lawsuits/

 

I Turned Down $1M from Johnson & Johnson, and Blew the Whistle Instead (3-2-2016)

https://nypost.com/2016/03/02/johnson-johnson-hid-the-dangers-of-talc-and-i-helped-blow-the-whistle/

Women Who Regularly Use Talcum Powder Increase their Risk of Ovarian Cancer by 24% (6-18-2013)

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2343974/Women-regularly-use-talcum-powder-increase-risk-ovarian-cancer-24.html

 

Genital Powder Use and Risk of Ovarian Cancer (6-12-2013)

https://cancerpreventionresearch.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2013/06/12/1940-6207.CAPR-13-0037.abstract

 

AACR: Talc Use Linked to Ovarian Cancer Risk up to 2-3 Times (4-7-2011)

https://www.medpagetoday.org/meetingcoverage/aacr/25780?vpass=1

 

Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer (9-29-2008)

https://www.nhs.uk/news/cancer/talcum-powder-and-ovarian-cancer/

 

The Birth of Our Baby Products (4-30-2007)

https://www.kilmerhouse.com/2007/04/the-birth-of-our-baby-products

 

Talcum Company Calls Study on Cancer Link Inconclusive (8-12-1982)

https://www.nytimes.com/1982/08/12/business/talcum-company-calls-study-on-cancer-link-inconclusive.html

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