Johnson & Johnson is almost synonymous with baby products, and an untold number of families in South Carolina use their products on a regular basis. Unfortunately, their popular baby powder product may not be as safe as the company claims. One consumer developed mesothelioma after many years and thousands of applications, and recently won $25.75 million in damages.

The woman claims that she used Johnson & Johnson brand baby powders for years before developing cancer. As a frequent bowler, she typically dusted both her hands and her bowling shoes with the powder. Her suit also asserts that she used the company’s baby powder to help fight diaper rashes when her children were little. Court experts estimated this amounted to at least 10,000 individual uses.

Although asbestos — which causes the dangerous cancer mesothelioma — is not an ingredient in baby powder, experts believe that the mineral talc is to blame. Talc is usually mined in close proximity to asbestos, and cross-contamination is not necessarily uncommon. Johnson & Johnson claims that none of its baby powder has contained any asbestos since the 1970s, and does not believe that its product is to blame for the development of cancer.

This woman is not alone in her claims, though. Another out-of-state woman and her husband filed a suit on behalf of the man, who developed mesothelioma after using talcum-based baby powder for decades. They were awarded $117 million, but the company is appealing the decision. Another case is currently being fought in South Carolina after thousands of women allegedly developed ovarian cancer from using baby powder.

Consumers should be able to safely use products as advertised without fear of cancer or other ill-effects. Sadly, many people have developed mesothelioma from using asbestos-tainted products, and must suffer the emotional and physical trauma for the rest of their lives. Seeking compensation from companies that disregard safety in lieu of profits can help victims achieve a sense of justice, and may also force these companies to implement changes that protect future consumers.

Source: CNN, “Johnson & Johnson hit with $25.75 million verdict in talc-asbestos case“, Jen Christensen, May 24, 2018