Consumer product companies have pushed back against lawsuits accusing their talc-based products of causing malignant mesothelioma and other cancers, but victims’ arguments were strengthened this week when the Food and Drug Administration revealed it had found chrysotile asbestos fibers in a recently-sold bottle of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder.
FDA finds asbestos in Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder
Malignant mesothelioma has long been considered an occupational disease, caused by exposure to asbestos that was used in a wide range of workplaces for its ability to insulate and strengthen. But in the last few years, the damage said to have been caused by asbestos has expanded into America’s bathrooms and nurseries, as patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer have pointed to asbestos-contaminated baby powder and other talc body powders as the cause of their illnesses.
Though Johnson & Johnson’s, Colgate Palmolive and other companies selling talc-based powders have argued that their products contain no asbestos, the FDA issued an alert about Lot #22318RB after having conducted an analysis of approximately 50 different products. That survey began in 2018, and though one lot of the Johnson & Johnson’s product tested negative for asbestos, the other lot tested positive. In response the company has voluntarily recalled some 33,000 bottles of their iconic powder.
Company questions integrity of sample
While Johnson & Johnson did issue a public statement informing the public of the FDA’s findings and issuing a recall and refund, they also made a point of questioning the results, saying that they would look into “the integrity of the tested sample and the validity of the test results.”
The FDA findings will likely have a significant impact on testimony and jury considerations in many of the upcoming mesothelioma and ovarian cancer lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. There are current over 15,000 of these claims pending, and more are expected to follow.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease such as ovarian cancer or malignant mesothelioma, we can help answer your questions about talc’s role in your disease. Contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today by calling 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
