Millions of men and women in the United States had baby powder applied to their genitals as babies. Some were even told by their parents, their grandparents, friends, and other relatives to continue that practice as a matter of hygiene. Now, some of those men and women are litigants in class action lawsuits that claim that Johnson & Johnson baby powder contained asbestos and has given them rare cancers like mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. Several lawsuits have been filed and decided in the United States, and now, as Drug Watch reports, approval to proceed in class action litigation has been approved in Canada.
In addition to financial compensation, the lawsuits are asking the company Johnson & Johnson to place a warning about the cancer link on their baby powder products. While several companies that manufacture baby powder and other talc powder products have taken steps, Johnson & Johnson have not.
Scientific studies are on the fence about the link between talc products and ovarian cancers. Some studies have shown a link while others have not. There is no known link between cornstarch-based powders and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits contend only with the talc-based products.
Another link between talc powder products and asbestos has been argued before a court. A man filed suit against Johnson & Johnson contending that lifetime use of their baby powder, which the suit alleges contains traces of asbestos, caused him to contract mesothelioma.
The Quebec Superior Court has authorized the class-action against Johnson and Johnson for their baby powder products to go ahead as of early May 2018. The lawsuit has been given the collective name of the Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer litigation.
Have you been diagnosed with cancer & believe it is related to the use of baby powder? We can help. Call today.