Talc widely used but safety fears are growing
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The report by Reuters’ which has started the scandal indicates that the company was aware of trace amounts of asbestos potentially affecting its Talc products since at least 1971. To be fair this is not new and as far back as 1976 the New York Times reported on testing which found traces. Ironically in that testing, they reported that:
Two of Johnson’s Baby Powders (one made in the US and one in Britain) & Johnson’s Medicated Powder, were among those showing no contamination.
Obviously, times change and the pressure on manufacturing costs could have led to corner-cutting in the supply chain, however at this stage is still allegations however this is not the first time the issue has been headline news.
As recently as July this year a Judge in Missouri awarded $4.7bn in damages to 22 women who alleged that Johnson & Johnson talc products caused them to develop ovarian cancer. On the whole, talc remains under scrutiny and although the product its self has no defined role in causing cancer, because of its underground pre-mining proximity to asbestos there will always be risks. The American Cancer Society view talc as being very low risk, however low is not the same as “no risk” and anyone concerned might want to look into alternatives.
