IN THE NEWS: TOXIC TALC STILL A PROBLEM

“People shouldn’t have to worry that the beauty products they use every day may be contaminated with dangerous chemicals,” laments Gina Werdel of U.S Pirg (advocates for the public interest). Yet once again, she reports, product testing demonstrates that many cosmetic products still contain asbestos. Talc is a mineral obtained by mining. Because it is soft and absorbent, talc is a perfect ingredient for face powder and eye shadow. The problem is – talc is often found near asbestos, which is a cancer-causing substance.

Some of the most regrettable situations our attorneys at Ramey & Hailey see are those in which using a product caused long-term, life-altering injuries. Asbestos used to be a popular building material used in ceilings, flooring, and paint. Once asbestos was connected to breathing issues and cancer, the substance was largely banned in the U.S. Still, removing asbestos from older structures releases tiny fibers into the air, even today putting construction workers at risk.

One widely sold feminine hygiene product containing talc was Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower Powder. The first lawsuit filed again J&J culminated in a St. Louis jury awarding $72 million to the family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer after 30 years of using talc-containing body powder. Thousands of other talc based lawsuits have been filed since then, many involving mass tort claims by large groups of plaintiffs.

“If you’re a consumer looking to stay healthy,” Werdel warns, “watch out for talc.” If you or a member of your family is concerned that a medical problem is linked to long term use of products containing talc, our attorneys are here to listen, protect and defend.