Talcum powder, especially if it contains asbestos, is a potentially cancer-causing substance. However, talcum powder is still sold in stores, as it is a common ingredient in cosmetics. While talcum powder is studied extensively, studies have revealed mixed results and are somewhat inconclusive in regard to talcum powder causing cancer.
Asbestos and Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, many studies have looked for a potential link between talcum powder and cancer. If talcum powder contains asbestos, there is a greater reason for concern, as tiny pieces of the mineral talc and asbestos particles can easily disperse into the air and maybe inhaled while a person is applying cosmetics containing talcum powder to their skin.
Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause cancer. The small particles can travel to the lungs, where they can remain for a long time and potentially cause damage. Especially prolonged exposure in the workplace can lead to cancers and diseases many years later. This is recognized with the establishment of so-called asbestos trust funds, which several companies set up in order to compensate affected workers.
Inhaling asbestos can cause several diseases, including:
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Cancer of the larynx
- Cancer of the lung
- Cancer of the ovaries
- Pleural plaques
- Pleural effusion
- General thickening of tissues around the lungs
Asbestos inhalation could also increase risks for stomach, pharynx, and colorectal cancers.
Finding a correlation between some asbestos-related diseases and exposure to asbestos can be tricky, since it often takes decades for cancers and illnesses to appear after the actual asbestos exposure. While in many work-related asbestos cases, the exposure to asbestos is considerable and workers could easily prove that their cancer was an asbestos-related disease, the evidence is not always as tangible in talcum powder cases.
Talcum Powder and Mesothelioma
Typically, mesothelioma can arise through work-related asbestos exposure. However, some women have developed mesothelioma without any work-related asbestos exposure. Instead, they may have been harmed by asbestos in commercial cosmetics. A recent study into whether mesothelioma was due to talcum powder use in this group of women suggests that inhaling talcum powder containing asbestos in a closed space could cause asbestos fibers to get lodged in the lungs. The study cites that the risks most likely increased with repeated applications.
There is a possibility that talcum powder with asbestos can cause mesothelioma, especially as talcum powders in the 1970s frequently contained asbestos. The long latency of asbestos-related cases might mean that we are still seeing some of those cases turning up now. If you suffer from mesothelioma and were never exposed to work-related asbestos but used talcum powder, you may have legal options and could claim compensation.
You Can Get Legal Help
Talcum powder is still sold in stores, so if you are suffering from cancer that you believe could have been caused by using talcum powder, such as ovarian cancer, lung cancer, or others, you can get help and might receive compensation. A talcum powder lawyer can discuss your individual case with you and might be able to provide you with some potential legal avenues.
We understand that it can feel daunting to think about holding a multinational company to account, but you do not have to take this step alone. We can help with all aspects of talcum powder lawsuits. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now to speak to one of our team members for further information: (800) 794-0444.