Talcum powder has been part of personal hygiene for babies and adults for years, helping to absorb moisture without odors and reducing the effect of rashes. The primary ingredient in talcum powder is talc, a mineral that occurs naturally on earth and appears in many products beyond body powder.
However, the mining of some types of talc may introduce contaminants such as asbestos. If manufacturers used this impure form of talc in cosmetic products, such as talcum powder, it may have led to asbestos poisoning for consumers or for the employee involved in making the powder. The lightweight dust naturally found in talcum powder may also cause illness, even without asbestos.
If you believe your use of talcum powder in the past has resulted in you having a serious illness in Los Angeles, California, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and reduction in quality of life. A Los Angeles talcum lawyer from the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help defend your rights and hold the manufacturer responsible. Call us at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation.
How Dangerous is Talcum Powder?
According to the American Cancer Society, the majority of cases with a link between talcum powder and cancer focus on two areas:
- Lung cancer: where those who worked in industries with talc, either in making products like talcum powder or in using talc in its natural form, may end up with lung illnesses, including a form of cancer called mesothelioma.
- Ovarian cancer: where women who may have purchased and used talcum powder in their genital areas may now have received an ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Warning Signs About Talcum Powder
As long ago as the mid-1970s, some in the cosmetics industry began finding issues with asbestos fibers in impure talcum powder that may cause serious illnesses. Because talcum powder manufacturers did not always fully heed these warnings, they continued to sell products that may have been impure.
Johnson & Johnson is one company that manufactured talcum powder and is now facing thousands of lawsuits alleging the company failed to take warnings about impure talc seriously.
According to CNN, the company recently agreed to stop selling baby powder containing talc, switching to cornstarch as the primary product in its baby powder.
Receiving Possible Compensation for Your Injuries
Some lawsuit cases about the use of talcum powder have gone through the settlement phase, but you may still have the right to file your own lawsuit or join a class-action lawsuit regarding talcum powder.
If you have questions regarding an illness you believe may have a relationship to talcum powder exposure, consider contacting the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free consultation. A Los Angeles talcum lawyer may be able to help.
Does Talcum Powder Cause Cancer?
Although there are some disagreements about exactly how talcum powder and cancer are related, many studies appear to show a link between the two.
Relationship to Producing Talc and Lung Cancer
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) performed a study in 1995 that found some talc miners and millers with various experiences working exhibited a link between the exposure to talc and the formation of lung disease and cancer. Some of the findings of the study included:
- Higher death rate: where death rates from all causes were higher among those who mined or milled talc than the general public.
- Higher lung cancer: where the number of workers who developed lung cancer after working around talc was higher than that of the general public.
- Higher lung diseases: where the talc miners and millers had a higher rate of non-cancerous lung diseases than the general public, although the total number with disease was small.
The study concluded that the most likely cause for the higher rates of disease and cancer among the workers was inhalation of dust during the production of talc.
Relationship Between Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that appears after an exposure to asbestos in 70 to 80 percent of cases. According to the Mayo Clinic, mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer. It does not have a cure, meaning doctors may only be able to treat the symptoms and help a victim feel as comfortable as possible.
With mesothelioma, the cancerous cells appear in thin layers of tissues around internal organs. Mesothelioma primarily affects the lungs, but it may appear in tissues around other organs.
Those with mesothelioma may notice symptoms including:
- Frequent coughing with pain
- Constant pain in the chest
- Lumps under the skin near the lungs
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden weight loss
Relationship Between Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer
There appears to be a relationship between the use of talcum powder by women and the development of ovarian cancer. Studies show that, when applied to the genital area of a woman, the talc powder may migrate through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes to reach the ovaries, leading to a slightly higher chance of developing ovarian cancer than normal.
For a free legal consultation with a Talcum Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm May Defend the Rights of Dangerous Product Victims
If you hire a Los Angeles talcum lawyer, they may be able to help if you are alleging that the manufacturer of the talcum powder you used should have known about impure talc. The manufacturer should have warned consumers about the potential problem.
Call the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a free case review. We work on a contingency-fee basis and do not accept payment up front for our services. If the defendant refuses to come to a fair settlement, we may be able to help during a trial.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
