Government Health Agencies Around the World Are Focused On Talcum Powder Asbestos Contamination

Government health agencies around the world are following Canada's lead and testing talcum powder supplies for the presence of asbestos

Monday, January 21, 2019 - In December 2018, Canadian health ministry, Health Canada, issued an unprecedented warning to its citizens and to health care professionals to avoid inhaling talc dust and for women to stop using talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes. The agency conducted a screening of talc focusing on cosmetics, health care products and over-the-counter drugs that may contain talc. Their finding concluded that talc causes lung function impairment when breathed which can lead to fibrosis of the lungs if inhaled for a period of months or years. Health Canada warns that breathing talc can cause "coughing, difficulty breathing, decreased lung function and scarring of lung tissue." The agency also warns that women may develop ovarian cancer if they use baby powder or other talc-based cosmetics for feminine hygiene. The immediate focus of the study was Johnson's Baby Powder that is made primarily of talc. In the US, a Missouri jury recently awarded 22 plaintiffs the sum of $4.7 billion dollars for Johnson's Baby Powder causing their ovarian cancer. Johnson's Baby Powder is suspected of containing asbestos, a known carcinogenic substance. National talcum powder cancer lawyers represent persons harmed by talcum powder cancer.

If the talcum powder cancer scare sweeping the US and the world comes true, millions of people may have been unknowingly exposed to asbestos. While it is important to note that talcum powder may cause cancer, there are many other products that we use that also contain talc and could be just as deadly. Health Canada has warned health professionals to remind patients that express talc/cancer concerns to "avoid inhaling loose talc powders; avoid female genital exposure to products containing talc; keep baby powder away from a child's face to avoid inhalation, and to check product labels for talc and choose talc-free alternatives."

In addition to face, foot, and baby powders, other everyday products that contain talc should be also be identified and avoided and not inhaled by anyone or used in the perineal region by women. These products include "diaper and rash creams, genital antiperspirants and deodorants, body wipes and bath bombs." Health Canada identifies other consumer categories where talc is present to be in food, paint, paper, plastics, ceramics, and prescription drugs."

The Health Canada talc cancer warnings have prompted other nations to initiate testing of the talc used in their country. Late in December of 2018, CNN reported that drug regulators in India have started to test Johnson's Baby Powder for asbestos contamination. In addition to Health Canada, Reuters recently reported that information they gathered under the Freedom of Information Act showed that executives at the company have known for decades that their iconic brand of baby powder contained cancer-causing quantities of asbestos and did nothing to warn consumers. On a positive note for Johnson & Johnson, Singaporean health agency, Health Sciences Authority (HSA) recently reported that it has not received any complaints of baby powder being linked to cancer nor has it found no asbestos in Johnson's Baby Powder samples that they tested.

Information provided by TalcumPowderCancerLawsuit.com, a website devoted to providing news about talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits, as well as medical research and findings.