Is Talcum Powder a Safe Product?

Talcum powder appears to be one of the safest products around. After all, we smooth it on babies every day!

Yet extended use of talcum powder has been linked to ovarian cancer. New cases of this type of cancer occur in 22,000 women in the U.S. each year, with 15,000 women dying of it every year (American Cancer Society).

In two talcum powder lawsuits earlier this year against Johnson & Johnson, maker of Johnson's Baby Powder, juries awarded plaintiffs $127 million dollars in damages.

The problem lies in the source mineral, talc or magnesium silicate. This substance is a mineral mixture of finely ground stone and mined in India and other places all over the world. Its chemical composition is similar to asbestos.

Underground, this mineral can be contaminated with other materials such as asbestos. Talc that contains asbestos is not used in modern consumer products. But even asbestos-free talc products have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers.

Many women are in the habit of applying talcum powder to undergarments, sanitary napkins and private areas of the body. The talc particles can then travel through the reproductive system, causing inflammation and sometimes the growth of cancer cells. Talcum powder is also found in many hygiene products like tampons, diaphragms and condoms and can enter the reproductive system this way as well.

A 2009 U.S. Food and Drug Administration safety review trial of talc-containing baby, beauty and hygiene products was inconclusive because the sample of suppliers and products submitted was too small.

If you have used talcum powder over an extended period of time and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may be wondering if you have a case. You can file a personal injury claim for compensation for damages if it can be proven that your cancer was due to talc exposure.

The Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. urges you to learn more about talc and ovarian cancer risk from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute.

If you or a family member has cancer that may be attributable to talcum powder use, or if you've suffered an injury from any type of defective product, please contact us immediately. Our experienced attorneys have the right expertise to fight for the compensation you deserve. Please call us for a free consultation. Attorney Diana Santa Maria, personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale, will fight to secure justice for you and your family. You can reach us at (954) 434-1077 or contact us via the website.