Johnson & Johnson is being sued by thousands of people across the UK amid allegations that use of the brand’s baby powder led to cancer.
More than 3,000 people are seeking damages and have launched legal action against the US-based pharmaceutical giant, arguing that family members developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after using the product in the past.
At the centre of their claim are allegations that baby powder products historically contained asbestos-contaminated talc.
Johnson & Johnson denies the allegations, and as of 2023, it has replaced talc ingredients with cornstarch in its products sold in the UK and internationally.
Representing the claimants, Michael Rawlinson KC said, "there exist very few, if any, commercially exploited talc deposits in the world which do not contain asbestos"
He argued that the brand “suppressed information that might indicate that baby powder was contaminated with asbestos.”
Representatives for Kenvue, formerly the consumer health division of Johnson & Johnso,n said: “We sympathise deeply with people living with cancer. We understand that they and their families want answers – that’s why the facts are so important.
“The high-quality cosmetic grade talc that was used in Johnson’s Baby Powder was compliant with any required regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.”
It comes as J&J faces countless lawsuits in the US from people also claiming that use of the brand’s talc products led to cancer.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is talc?
Talc is a mineral that occurs naturally and is typically composed of components such as magnesium, silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
It’s mined from the earth in various parts of the world and then ground into a powder used in several industries, including cosmetics.
In its powder form, it’s also sometimes known as talcum powder, and its absorbing qualities have been touted as good for keeping skin dry and rash-free.
However, over the years, concerns have been raised about the use of talc due to fears that it sometimes contains asbestos that can lead to cancer.
According to Asbestos.com, not all talc deposits contain asbestos, but a lot of them are contaminated with it.
What is the legal claim against Johnson & Johnson
The legal action filed at the high court is seeking damages and calls for J&J to be held liable.
It’s thought some 3,000 people are involved, seeking damages after they or their family members developed various strains of cancer after using baby powder between 1965 and 2023.
Court documents reportedly allege that the brand “concealed” knowledge of talc’s asbestos danger. However, the pharmaceutical giant maintains that its talc products were safe and that it never knowingly sold contaminated baby powder.
Mr Rawlinson, on the other hand, alleges “all of the mines supplying the defendants contained asbestos.” He also suggests that the brand would have been aware of such health risks and may have “lobbied regulators” to continue selling its products.
He goes on to say the brand “acted in bad faith, to protect the reputation and profit-making potential of baby powder and the goodwill attached to their name.”
Elsewhere, J&J have faced other legal battles over the previous use of its talc products. Earlier this month, the brand was ordered to pay $966 million to the family of a woman who died in 2021 from a rare form of cancer.
Does talc give you cancer?
According to UCL’s Dr Adam Clancy, lecturer in Materials Chemistry, who spoke on today’s Tech and Science Daily podcast, some of the biggest concerns regarding talc are that it can irritate your skin and damage your lungs.
There are mixed findings on whether talc gives you cancer, but a lot of medical experts believe there’s a strong connection between talc contaminated with asbestos and cancer.
When inhaled, asbestos is known to lead to a number of serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma.
Last year, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which forms part of the World Health Organisation, reclassified talc as “probably” carcinogenic.
Dr Clancy added that asbestos found in talc may actually be even more harmful than the type commonly found in people’s walls.
“The asbestos in buildings is not the same as this asbestos in talc,” he said. “The asbestos in buildings made of these small curly fibres is still very bad for you, but because they curl up, they get caught inside the trachea higher up in the lungs.”
He added: “The sort of asbestos you get inside talc, because it's a lot thinner, it's a lot stronger, it's a lot longer, it stays in the body a lot longer and can do a lot more damage.”
