Talc, Ovarian Cancer and Asbestos:
Most of us think of talc as a softly scented baby powder and clean, soft baby skin. But did you know that talc often contains asbestos and can be a danger to your health and the health of your children?
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral found naturally in the earth. It is heat-resistant and flexible, meaning manufacturers of everything from clothing to building materials could add the fiber-like mineral to increase strength and heat resistance. Until the 1980's, manufacturers often added asbestos to children’s pajamas, roofing materials, insulation, cement, and even gaskets used in cars. We now know that exposure to asbestos causes several types of cancer. If a material is disturbed through fire, remodeling, or demolition, asbestos fibers can enter the air or water. If you inhale or ingest asbestos, it can cause irreversible damage to the body. Asbestos can cause asbestosis, lung and ovarian cancer, and mesothelioma.
Asbestos in Talc
Talc is also a mineral, one of the softest found in nature. As a result, manufacturers use talc in many commercial products, including baby powder, cosmetics, food additives, and even things like crayons. Talc often forms alongside asbestos, and veins of asbestos may contaminate talc deposits. Research indicates that when women used talcum powder contaminated with asbestos, the talc and asbestos may have traveled up the reproductive tract to the ovaries. But asbestos-contaminated talcum powder can also move through the body to the ovaries if inhaled or ingested. Regulatory agencies and consumer watchdog groups have also found asbestos-contaminated talc in other products like cosmetics and other body powders.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer-related cause of death among women older than 35. Epithelial ovarian carcinoma, which develops on the surface of the ovary, is the most common kind of ovarian cancer, occurring in 85-90% of all cases. Epithelial ovarian carcinoma is the most common ovarian cancer associated with talc as well. In 2018, a jury awarded 12,000 women
$4.69 billion
in their lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, agreeing that the company’s asbestos-contaminated baby powder led to their ovarian cancers. Thousands of lawsuits are still coming. If you use powder or cosmetics containing talc, be aware of the link between talc and ovarian cancer. It may be time to purge your bathroom cabinets to keep your family safe.
