Some talcum powders may contain asbestos, a harmful ingredient. Many women use talc as part of their daily beauty regimen to smell and feel fresh. However, talcum powder recently gained much global attention because of the potential health risks linked with regularly applying the product on the skin.
About Talcum Powder
Talcum powder is a product that comes from talc. Composed of hydrated magnesium silicate, talc is the softest mineral on the planet. To make it suitable for commercial use, this mineral is crushed into a fine powder and undergoes refinement processes after miners extract it from the earth. There are a number of talc deposits located throughout the country, particularly in the vicinity of the Appalachian Mountains and in the states of Texas, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and New Mexico.
The Harmful Ingredient in Talcum Powder
Despite the many desirable properties of talcum powder, researchers revealed that asbestos, found in some talcum powder, could potentially cause cancer and other serious health conditions. As early as the 1970s, studies drew links between ovarian cancer and regular talc application to a woman’s genital area. The American Journal of Epidemiology states that in 1997, news broke out about the association of talcum powder use in women’s perineal area with an increased risk of ovarian cancers. New scientific research shows a link between the use of talcum powder in the genital area and ovarian cancer. Thus, it is understandable why the presence of asbestos in talcum powder became a cause for concern.
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Health Conditions Associated with Talcum Powder Use
Asbestos is an ingredient found in baby powder and can be harmful if inhaled or swallowed by infants. Despite the label warnings to keep the product away from the face of children, babies may still inadvertently ingest it.
For women, applying talcum powder on the genital area increases the risk of acquiring ovarian cancer. This kind of cancer is typically attributed to asbestos inhalation and can affect the linings of the abdomen, lungs, and other organs. Although companies denied that talcum powder contains asbestos, plaintiffs assert that the close association between talc and asbestos makes it difficult to separate them during the mining process. Other diseases that talcum powder exposure can trigger–particularly its inhalation–include the following:
- Asthma
- Respiratory failure
- Lung cancer
How Ovarian Cancer Develops from Talcum Powder Use
When used regularly on the genital area, talcum powder particles can become embedded in the ovaries after moving through the uterus and fallopian tubes. Since talc is made of magnesium and silicon compounds, the body will be unable to remove it or break it down. Eventually, cancerous tissue may surround the embedded talcum powder particles. If cancer remains undetected, it can quickly spread to other regions of the body. Carcinogenic asbestos is nearly impossible to separate from raw talc, making it possible for the substance to enter the body once a person uses talcum powder.
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Overview of Ovarian Cancer
It is difficult to detect ovarian cancer early in most women, which unfortunately causes it to spread to other parts of the body. Once they have the disease, patients often suffer from pain, bloating, and swelling in the abdominal area, frequent urination, menstrual changes among a host of other health issues. Plus, there are the medical expenses they incur to treat their condition.
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Filing a Talcum Powder Lawsuit
If you are a user of a talcum powder product and received a diagnosis of a disease linked to it, you could have a legitimate claim against the manufacturer. It may be in your best interest to reach out to a talcum powder attorney who can conduct an investigation and advise you on the steps to take.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today for Legal Help
Many consumers want to know what ingredients are harmful in talcum powder and what to do if they become ill. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we make sure your voice is heard. Our lawyers will sit down with you, listen to your concerns, and tell you what you need to know when it comes to the controversial talcum powder issue. You can rely on us if you need legal representation from someone who puts their client’s welfare first.
Start getting answers today by calling our office at (800) 794-0444. We offer a free consultation and never charge a fee unless we win your case.
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