Talcum Powder Timeline

There is a long history of talcum powder cancer research. Take a look
at the timeline below to see how long talc has been under the microscope.

Talcum powder timeline

2024

J&J makes a third effort to use bankruptcy to settle talc liability claims with a  “pre-packaged” proposal of  $6.4 billion.

2023

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee criticizes J&J’s attempted use of the “Texas Two-Step” bankruptcy scheme in contentious hearing.

Talcum powder timeline

2023

Bankruptcy courts twice deny J&J’s efforts to declare bankruptcy to limit the company’s legal liabilities.

2023

Third Circuit Court of Appeals rules the LTL bankruptcy was filed in bad faith and mandates that talc-related claims be returned to civil courts.

Talcum powder timeline

2022

Johnson & Johnson announces end of global sales of all talc-based products.

2022

FDA formally calls for improved screening for asbestos in cosmetic products.

Talcum powder timeline

2021

LTL files for bankruptcy; injunction halts all talc litigation.

2021

J&J creates LTL, a subsidiary to hold all talc litigation liabilities.

Talcum powder timeline

2021

The U.S. Supreme Court denies J&J’s attempt to overturn $2.1 billion judgment in talc case.

2020

Johnson & Johnson announces that the company will no longer sell talc-based powders in North America.

Talcum powder timeline

2020

In addressing more than 17,000 pending legal claims, a New Jersey federal court finds scientific evidence of a talc-ovarian cancer connection to be “reliable.”

2020

The FDA holds daylong public hearing on recommendations to expand the definitions of carcinogenic talc and requiring more sensitive testing of talc products.

Talcum powder timeline

2019

Johnson & Johnson recalls more than 30,000 bottles of its baby powder after FDA discovered cancer-causing chrysotile asbestos in the product.

2019

The Reuters news service publishes a special report documenting that, in the face of declining baby powder sales, Johnson & Johnson has created marketing campaigns targeting minority populations despite the company’s knowledge of the dangers of talcum powder.

Talcum powder timeline

2019

A U.S. House subcommittee held an investigative hearing on the science and safety of talc-based products, prompted by the FDA’s discovery of asbestos-containing talcum powder in certain cosmetics marketed to children and teens. The panel may recommend granting the FDA more authority to mandate safety recalls of cosmetics, powders and personal care products.

2018

The Reuters news service and The New York Times each publish reports, based on corporate and legal documents, stating that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the presence of asbestos in its talcum powder products for decades, but chose to deny the dangers to regulators and the public.

Talcum powder timeline

2018

A St. Louis jury finds Johnson & Johnson and its talc supplier liable for more than $4.6 billion in damages on behalf of 22 ovarian cancer victims, finding that the companies were aware of and responsible for cancer-causing asbestos in talcum powder products.

2017

Separate trials in Missouri and California find that J&J’s talcum powder products caused the ovarian cancer of two women, with a combined jury award of more than $525 million.

Talcum powder timeline

2017

Baby powder manufacturers begin putting ovarian cancer warning labels on private label products, including those sold at Walmart and Dollar Tree stores.

2016

In three separate trials, juries return verdicts totaling almost $200 million on behalf of women who died of ovarian cancer from using talcum powder for feminine hygiene for decades.

Talcum powder timeline

2016

Cramer study: Finds genital talc use associated with factors such as age, weight, race in dramatic increase of ovarian cancer risk.

2014

National Cancer Institute issues report citing talc use as a risk factor for ovarian cancer.

Talcum powder timeline

2013

National Institutes of Health Study: Meta-analysis that looked at 30 years of data found significant link between genital talc use and ovarian cancer.

2013

Safe Cosmetic Act in California lists talc as a suspected carcinogen.

Talcum powder timeline

2011

Cramer Study – Menopausal Medicine: 10-year case-control study finds women with long-term genital talc use had a two-thirds increase of developing ovarian cancer as a result.

2006

Major talc suppliers place toxicity warning on shipments of talc to manufacturers.

Talcum powder timeline

1996

Condom industry removes talc from all products due to ovarian cancer concerns.

1992

Internal J&J memo outlines the planned targeting of Black and Hispanic women through increased marketing in hopes of countering an overall decline in sales of products containing talc. The document notes that those populations have the highest usage rate of the products.

Talcum powder timeline

1992

Federal National Toxicology Program issues report finding “clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of talc” in rodent-based study.

1982

Cramer Study: First case-control study to link genital talc use with ovarian cancer finds women have a 92% increased risk of ovarian cancer when using talc for feminine hygiene purposes.

Talcum powder timeline

1977

Faced with possible federal ban of cosmetic talcum powder, J&J begins testing baby powder with corn starch as a replacement.

Talcum powder timeline

1975

Internal J&J memo acknowledges problematic link between genital talc use and ovarian cancer.

Talcum powder timeline

1971

British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology study discovers talc particles in 75% of ovarian tumors.

1930s

First accounts of harmful effects of talc on humans recorded.

Anybody who denies [the published research] risks that the talc industry will be perceived by the public like it perceives the cigarette industry: denying the obvious in the face of all evidence to the contrary.– Alfred P. Wehner J&J toxicology consultant to J&J executives, 1997