Johnson & Johnson has offered a $6.475 billion settlement to resolve claims that its talcum powder products, allegedly contaminated with asbestos, caused ovarian cancer.
In short:
- The settlement aims to address nearly all current and future lawsuits related to ovarian cancer claims against J&J.
- J&J maintains that its talc products are safe, despite accusations and previous court findings.
- Approval from 75% of the claimants is required to finalize the settlement, with voting set over three months.
Why this matters:
Talc is mined and can be contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. However, Johnson & Johnson has repeatedly asserted that their talc-based products are safe and asbestos-free, citing decades of testing to support their claims. The company has faced scrutiny not only from the courts but also from regulators and the scientific community, prompting them to discontinue sales of talc-based products in North America in 2020, shifting to cornstarch-based products instead.
EHN coverage: In 2018, the New York Times obtained memos showing that officials at Johnson & Johnson were aware in the 1970s that the company's iconic baby powder talc could be contaminated with asbestos.
