You may have used talc powder products all your life without thinking about the potential dangers that they pose, and you may not have even known that the products were harmful. However, talc exposure has been linked to mesothelioma and lung cancer diagnoses due to asbestos contamination during the mining process. Asbestos is a known carcinogen when inhaled, and unfortunately, proper testing wasn’t always performed on the talc powders and/or mining sites to prevent cross-contamination with asbestos.

If you have been exposed to talc powder in your life and you have been recently diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, please reach out to our office today. We would be honored to represent you in your pursuit of justice. Schedule a free consultation with our Buffalo mesothelioma lawyers today, and let us help you understand your rights.

Is Talc Exposure Harmful?

Talcum powder by itself is recognized as generally safe by the FDA. You may wonder how the FDA can call talc safe if there have been cancer cases linked to the use of talc products.

Talcum powder is not dangerous unless it contains asbestos, as asbestos is a known carcinogen when inhaled. Unfortunately, in the past, many products contained asbestos despite manufacturers being aware of the negative impacts asbestos can have on your health. Companies are required to test their products for asbestos, and if they determine that the product contains asbestos, that product should be immediately pulled from the shelves and discontinued until it can be produced with safe ingredients. In the past, it has been proven that this did not always happen.

Talc exposure is extremely dangerous when asbestos is present. When these products are inhaled or ingested, they can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer. Unfortunately, due to the long latency period of these types of cancers, it may take decades before someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer as a result of asbestos-tainted talc exposure.

Furthermore, if the powders are used on genitals, they can cause reproductive cancers. Thankfully, the FDA has ongoing research in this area to help better understand the correlation between ovarian cancer and powders containing talc that was used in the genital region.

Companies Who Still Sell Talc Products

Several companies have made efforts to keep consumers safe. However, there are still products on the market that are not safe due to being sold to third-party distributors who may still be stocking them on their shelves.

In 2017, many companies stopped using talc in their products when asbestos was linked to talcum powder. However, some of these companies either still make and sell talc products, or they have existing stock they are trying to sell out instead of recalling them, putting consumers at risk of asbestos talc exposure.

Companies that either discontinued or reformulated their powders may still be selling the existing stock of their talc products to retail and online markets.

According to WomensVoices.org, they were still able to find old stock of talc-containing powders available for purchase for the following products:

  • Johnson’s Baby Powder
  • Johnson’s Baby Powder Original Scent
  • Dana Chantilly Dusting Powder
  • Perfect Purity Soft and Silky Baby Powder
  • Elizabeth Arden Body Powder
  • Passion Body Powder
  • Ammens Medicated Deodorant Powder

Companies that still manufacture and sell talc products include:

  • Yardley London Talc Powder
  • Assured Shower & Bath Body Powder
  • Zeasorb Super Absorbent Powder
  • Anti-Monkey Butt Powder

Unfortunately, we have seen clients diagnosed with mesothelioma or cancer after unknowingly using talc products that contained asbestos for decades due to the mesothelioma latency period.  The latency period is long but also variable. Mesothelioma has been shown to take anywhere between 13 and 70 years to develop after asbestos exposure.

Companies who have knowingly put consumers at risk need to be held accountable. We have helped countless victims of asbestos-related talc exposure seek justice and compensation for their injuries, and we can help you too. Contact us today to arrange a free, confidential consultation, and let us begin the fight.

What If I Used a Talc Product?

If the talc product you used contained asbestos, there is no safe amount of exposure. While it’s true that light, short-term exposure rarely leads to mesothelioma or lung cancer, asbestos exposure is cumulative. This means that multiple short-term exposures can add up quickly and lead to increased toxicity and thereby increased potential for developing mesothelioma or lung cancer.

If you currently use any products containing asbestos, regardless of whether or not the company claims its talc products are safe, you may want to find alternative products.

Many products now use corn starch instead of talcum powder. Throwing away your talc products can help you be safer than sorry.

If you have used a talc product that you know contained asbestos, you could be at an elevated risk of developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, or reproductive cancer and should consult with your doctor as soon as possible for appropriate medical advice and next steps.

If you have seen a doctor and received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease that you believe is related to talc exposure, you should contact our Buffalo mesothelioma lawyers right away to schedule your free consultation.

Call Our Buffalo Mesothelioma Lawyers Today for a Free Talc Exposure Consultation

A diagnosis of mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease resulting from talc exposure to asbestos is life-changing and traumatic. To complicate matters, those responsible may refuse to accept responsibility. That’s where Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford can help. When we take your case, our focus is to build a personal relationship with you by understanding how this illness has impacted you and your family. We will stay in the fight with you until you receive justice for your injuries.

If you or someone you love was diagnosed with cancer or mesothelioma and have had talc exposure if their lifetimes, we can help. Please do not hesitate to call our office right away to schedule a free consultation. We can come to you for your consultation and depositions, so this process is as easy on you as possible. Our Buffalo mesothelioma lawyers would be honored to represent you.