The History of Talcum Powder

Two different juries, over the past year, have awarded punitive as well as compensatory damages to plaintiffs who filed lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson related to talcum powder.

Against Johnson & Johnson, over 1,000 additional lawsuits have been filed making a claim that the conglomerate was aware of the association between the use of the product, and development of ovarian cancer, yet neglected to warn customers.

The history of talcum powder, and the use of cosmetics based in talcum with Baby Powder, began after the turn of the 20th century, when Johnson & Johnson initiated a marketing of the product to mothers and their children.

The manufacturer, from this point forward, developed the brand of Baby Powder by primarily appealing to women via advertisements in multimedia.


Presently, the reported average revenue of Johnson & Johnson derived from talcum powder products sale, which per year can easily exceed $300 million.

Researchers, yet, indicated the risk of the use of talc particles around the genital area of females via a host of studies published around the 1970s, part of the history of talcum powder,

This research initially opined that particles of talc entered the reproductive system of a woman through the opening of the vagina, migrating into the uterus and the cervix, with movement to the ovaries through the fallopian tubes.

Scientists, while conducting the study, found particles of talc embedded in a vast number tested of ovarian tumors.

Daniel Cramer, a Harvard professor and physician at Brigham and Women’s hospital in Boston, published a study in 1982, which made claims that women who supposedly used talc around the genital area were reported three times potentially to develop ovarian cancer.

Since the publishing of this research, some additional studies have identified as well a vast increase in risk, approximately 33%, for the occurrence of ovarian cancer among frequent users of talcum powder.

Johnson and Johnson, despite the number of various studies which suggests the association, continues to dispute that the discoveries are based on reliable and consistent data; thus, has not included on any warning label the risk for products based in talc.

Against Johnson & Johnson, attorneys of the plaintiffs in recent lawsuits have cited a memo from the company internally, which dates back to the early 1990s, in an attempt to prove the company had knowledge of the likely risks posed to female consumers of talcum powder.

Although this memo depicts negative publicity from the medical community on the inhalation of talc, negative doctor. endorsement, cancer linkage, dust, et al., as a key obstacle for the company, it still strives to depict growth opportunities which exist within African-American and Hispanic communities.

With knowledge of the history of talcum powder, juries held liable the manufacturer for conspiracy, negligence, and failure to warn customers of risks involved.

Attorneys continue to review claims that Shower to Shower, Baby Powder, and other products of talcum powder contributes to ovarian cancer development.

You or a family member may have received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, and used talcum powder
previously on or close to the genital area.

Contact us for a free consultation or call Anzalone Law Firm PLLC, at: 603.548.3797.