Johnson & Johnson May Have Known Some of Its Talc Tested Positive for Asbestos, Says Report [Updated]

Marci Robin
Updated
Here's the latest in the controversy surrounding one of Johnson & Johnson's popular products.

UPDATE (December 17, 2018 5:30 P.M. EST): A representative from Johnson & Johnson has responded to Allure's request for comment, saying: "The Reuters report is one-sided, false and inflammatory. Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder is safe and asbestos-free. Studies of more than 100,000 men and women show that talc does not cause cancer or asbestos-related disease. Thousands of independent tests by regulators and the world’s leading labs prove our baby powder has never contained asbestos. We’re encouraging people to review the facts and make up their own mind at FactsAboutTalc.com."

Over the last few years, Johnson & Johnson has been hit with thousands of talc-related lawsuits alleging that the talc in its baby powder has caused cancer. Judges have ordered the company to pay significant damages to plaintiffs, including a record-setting $4.69 billion to 22 women who claimed the product led to their development of ovarian cancer. There are thousands of suits still being litigated, and now, a new report from Reuters has been published.

According to an investigative report from Reuters published on Friday, December 14, people at Johnson & Johnson were aware that its talc tested positive for asbestos multiple times over the course of several decades. Although most of the tests Reuters obtained and reviewed did not reflect the presence of asbestos, they found other documents and deposition and trial testimony indicating "that from at least 1971 to the early 2000s, the company’s raw talc and finished powders sometimes tested positive for small amounts of asbestos, and that company executives, mine managers, scientists, doctors, and lawyers fretted over the problem and how to address it."

Reuters' report also alleges that after J&J executives tried and failed to persuade regulators that up to one-percent asbestos contamination was too small to be harmful, they also failed to turn over to the FDA the test results from 1972 to 1975 that showed the talc contained asbestos.

Asbestos is carcinogenic to humans. It can occur in talc and, consequently, in talc-based products if it isn't mined properly.

J&J released a forceful statement in response to the Reuters report. "The Reuters article is one-sided, false and inflammatory," the statement starts. "Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder is safe and asbestos-free. Studies of more than 100,000 men and women show that talc does not cause cancer or asbestos-related disease. Thousands of independent tests by regulators and the world’s leading labs prove our baby powder has never contained asbestos." It goes on to say that Johnson & Johnson attorneys provided Reuters with "hundreds of documents" and answers to questions, much of which was omitted from the article.

In addition to noting that Johnson & Johnson has fully cooperated with the FDA, the statement insists that "Johnson & Johnson will continue to defend the safety of our product."

Allure has reached out to Johnson & Johnson for additional comment.

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