August 17, 2021 Cosmetic talc is a fine mineral found in everyday baby powder products and designated by the World Health Organization as “possibly carcinogenic,” dating back to 2006. Talc has been linked to a particular form of cancer known as mesothelioma, which can take years for any warning symptoms to manifest. By that point, it may be too late for life-saving treatment, given its particularly aggressive nature. The key to treating mesothelioma is to catch it early, which is dependent on getting regular health screenings and being aware of potential exposures to talc in products such as baby powder.
Despite the known risks, popular retailers of baby powder, like Johnson & Johnson, looked to continue to sell more baby powder to their most loyal customer base, particularly in regions with hot like Louisiana. These talc products were frequently used by women as a genital antiperspirant, making them more likely to suffer from the effects of harmful exposure than women who do not use talcum powder. Johnson & Johnson targeted vulnerable overweight African American and Hispanic communities, promising that their products would keep them feeling fresh. They promoted their product in well-known plus-sized clothing stores and weight-loss programs. Johnson & Johnson even went a step further by physically providing baby powder samples to churches and beauty salons with high levels of African American and Hispanic membership and patronage.
Reuters reported in 2018 that Johnson & Johnson had known for decades that their baby powder occasionally tested positive for small amounts of asbestos, which causes mesothelioma when inhaled. Still, they failed to report these results to the public. These actions indicate the deliberate distribution of a product that is detrimental to public health in communities of color that already demonstrate healthcare limitations and where reports of illness might go unnoticed longer.
Due to the delayed onset of mesothelioma symptoms, it is easy to miss, especially in communities where healthcare is cost-prohibitive or not as accessible in rural communities of color. Even when medical care is accessible, Black Americans place less trust in doctors according, to a poll that cites instances of doctors not believing their pain or denying tests and treatment. Obesity, race, and class intersect here to form a group highly vulnerable to a dormant disease for which they have been a target and have few resources.
The only way to reduce this racial and socioeconomic disparity is to educate these communities on their potential exposure and ensure that they have access to proper healthcare screenings.
How We Help Victims of Asbestos Exposure
Our asbestos law firm has represented Louisiana workers affected by asbestos exposure for over 20 years, aggressively fighting corporate giants responsible for dangerous products. If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos or suffer from a disease caused by asbestos like mesothelioma, we can help.
