People are filing talcum powder lawsuits over claims that they were diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder. There are currently more than 60,000 cases pending in federal court. Drugwatch can connect you with a talc ovarian cancer lawyer to help you find out if you qualify for a lawsuit.
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Diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after talcum powder use?
Most talcum powder lawsuits are consolidated in the United States District Court of New Jersey before Judge Michael A. Shipp.
Next Milestone:
The pretrial conference for the next bellwether trial, Judkins v. Johnson & Johnson et al., is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2025.
Latest MDL Case Count:
As of October 2025, there are 67,204 pending cases.
Why Are People Filing Talcum Powder Lawsuits?
People are filing talcum powder lawsuits over claims that they were diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder. There are currently 67,204 cases pending in federal court as of October 2025. Drugwatch can connect you with a talc ovarian cancer lawyer to help you find out if you qualify for a lawsuit.
According to mass torts and product liability attorney Daniel Nigh, J&J has already attempted to defend its cases using general causation. That is, whether talc can cause ovarian cancer and/or mesothelioma.
“There are other things that cause ovarian cancer. So, that’s the way in which J&J is trying to defend against these cases. They’ve lost multiple trials. And there are some specific cases where there are other clear explanations that are probably stronger explanations for the plaintiff’s ovarian cancer. But for the majority of these lawsuits, that’s not going to be the case,” Nigh told Drugwatch.
“It’s not a strong defense. Multiple literature studies and epidemiological studies have shown an increased risk of ovarian cancer,” Nigh added. “And there is such a clear, plausible, mechanistic explanation of asbestos leading to mesothelioma.”
“There are other things that cause ovarian cancer. So, that's the way in which J&J is trying to defend against these cases. They've lost multiple trials. And there are some specific cases where there are other clear explanations that are probably stronger explanations for the plaintiff’s ovarian cancer. But for the majority of these lawsuits, that's not going to be the case.”
Ovarian Cancer Evidence and Theory
Plaintiffs’ lawyers allege that talc causes ovarian cancer when used in the genital area because it can migrate to the pelvic tissues and cause inflammation in the ovaries. A 2025 review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine supports this theory.
How Talc Could Cause Ovarian Cancer
Talc is placed in the genital area.
Talc particles travel to the ovaries.
The particles embed in ovarian tissue.
Over time, inflammation occurs.
Inflammation causes cancer cells to form.
While some studies argue that talc alone can cause ovarian cancer, others say asbestos in the talc can lead to ovarian cancer.
Mesothelioma Evidence and Theory
Plaintiffs’ lawyers theorize that talc causes mesothelioma because people may inhale talc contaminated with asbestos. Studies support this theory, including a 2023 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
How Talc Contaminated With Asbestos Could Cause Mesothelioma
Someone inhales talc contaminated with asbestos.
Asbestos fibers embed in the lining of the lungs.
Over time, inflammation occurs.
Inflammation causes cancer cells to form.
In talcum powder mesothelioma study cases, talcum powder usage was the only source of asbestos exposure.
Punitive Damages in Talc Verdicts
In many talcum powder cases, courts issued high-dollar verdicts in favor of those diagnosed with cancer. Punitive damages hold defendants accountable for products they knew contained toxic asbestos that they failed to caution regulators and consumers about.
Internal memos analyzed by Reuters and available to plaintiffs’ lawyers show that J&J researched and uncovered asbestos contamination in its talc products.
Compensatory damages in talcum powder lawsuits reimburse plaintiffs for actual losses resulting from injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
In contrast, punitive damages serve a different purpose. Punitive damages are awarded on top of compensatory damages to provide extra punishment for the defendant. They penalize the manufacturer for especially reckless or deceptive conduct and act as a deterrent for future wrongdoing.
Plaintiffs who can prove that J&J acted maliciously in marketing and selling talc, or in wanton and willful disregard of their rights, can seek punitive damages.
For example, a St. Louis jury awarded $4.62 billion to 22 women who claimed J&J’s talcum powder caused them to develop ovarian cancer. Compensatory damages were $550 million, but the jury also awarded punitive damages of $4.14 billion after finding J&J executives knew about the dangers of asbestos in the talcum powder but failed to warn about the risk.
Who Qualifies for the Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
You may be eligible to file a talc lawsuit if you developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after regularly using or working with talc-based products. You may also be eligible to file a talc claim if you lost a loved one to cancer after asbestos exposure.
To make a strong case and maximize potential compensation, plaintiffs should hire an attorney. It takes legal expertise and relevant case experience to document asbestos exposure or ovarian cancer from talc products.
Evidence to Gather for Talc Lawsuits
Brand of talcum powder you used and how long you used it
Employment records (especially if you worked around talcum powder)
Evidence of talcum powder use and how you used it
Medical records (imaging, oncology notes and pathology)
Drugwatch partners with trusted law firms to help you take legal action. After submitting the form, one of Drugwatch's partners will contact you for a free case review.
Statutes of Limitations and Discovery Rules
Statutes of limitations set the time limit you have to file a talcum powder lawsuit. The timing differs between personal injury and wrongful death claims.
In personal injury cases, the filing deadline typically starts on the date the injury occurred or when the plaintiff reasonably should have discovered it. Deadlines usually range from one to six years, depending on the state.
For wrongful death claims, the clock generally starts at the date of death instead of the injury. Most states require these claims to be filed within two or three years from that date, but some states may give you more or less time. Different rules may apply to specific cases.
The discovery rule can extend the statute of limitations, allowing plaintiffs to bring a claim only once they know, or reasonably should know, the facts that reveal an injury or its connection to misconduct. This rule is especially relevant in cases where symptoms or harm are revealed long after the initial exposure. For example, the discovery rule in a wrongful death claim starts the clock when the person filing the claim discovers or should have discovered a person’s death.
Because deadlines are complex and may depend on facts unique to every case, individuals with potential claims should consult a qualified attorney to avoid losing their right to file a lawsuit.
What Legal and Medical Experts Say About Talcum Powder Lawsuits
After a judge denied J&J’s third and final bankruptcy attempt, the company decided not to appeal the decision and withdrew its roughly $7 billion settlement offer. J&J will defend itself against the remaining talc claim in court and doesn’t intend to settle any claims.
This complicates any future settlement talks because J&J has stated it doesn’t intend to offer any settlements. The bankruptcy denial allows ovarian cancer bellwether trials to continue.
Lawyers in the MDL have chosen Carter Judkins v. Johnson & Johnson et al. as the next bellwether trial. The judge has set a Pretrial Conference for Nov. 5, 2025, but no trial date is scheduled yet.
The outcome of this trial will likely have a big impact on the MDL litigation moving forward since it’s the first ovarian cancer trial in this litigation in years.
Lyle Solomon
Litigation Attorney
Legal Perspective from Lyle Solomon, Litigation Attorney
“Johnson & Johnson’s move to discontinue its iconic talc-based baby powder could be viewed as a prudent business decision to limit further legal exposure, even as the company maintains the products are safe.
By transitioning away from talc globally, [J&J] is likely aiming to resolve one of its biggest litigation liabilities and potential reputational risks proactively.
While not an admission of wrongdoing, the decision signals [J&J’s] acknowledgment that lingering scientific uncertainties around talc’s safety have become too much of a liability burden.”
Amelia M. Jernigan, MD
Gynecologic Oncologist
Medical Perspective from Amelia M. Jernigan, MD, Gynecologic Oncologist
“The jury is still out [on the risk of cancer from talcum powder products], but if there is an increased risk, it is very modest.
Even if you did use talcum powder, you still have a very low risk of ovarian … cancer (1.3% in the general population versus about 1.7% if you’ve used talcum powder on your genitals).
To be safe, it would be prudent to avoid [the] use of talcum powder and consider corn starch-based alternatives.”
What's the Latest on the Talc Lawsuits?
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) faced 67,204 pending talcum powder lawsuits in multidistrict litigation in New Jersey as of October 2025. MDL 2738 is before Judge Michael A. Shipp in U.S. District Court.
In 2024, J&J had a newly formed subsidiary file for bankruptcy as part of an effort to complete an $8 billion settlement to resolve thousands of talc lawsuits. But that settlement made use of a controversial procedure called a Texas Two-Step bankruptcy and it was rejected by a judge in early 2025.
J&J is not currently pursuing a mass settlement for these cases, but the MDL is progressing toward holding a bellwether trial. These trials are used when hundreds or thousands of similar lawsuits are filed. They work as test cases, helping both sides understand the strength of their case. Wins for plaintiffs in bellwether trials can convince defendants to negotiate a settlement instead of risking taking more cases to trial.
Talcum Powder Lawsuits Timeline
October 23, 2025: Major Talc Ovarian Cancer Trial Coming Up Soon
A series of talc ovarian cancer bellwether trials in California state court is quickly approaching. The first of three trials, which centers on claims that J&J's talc-based baby powder is tied to the development of ovarian cancer, is scheduled for Nov. 3. This is a big moment for the litigation after several years of J&J unsuccessfully attempting to resolve these lawsuits via settlement. The outcome of these bellwether trials can have an impact on the wider litigation. A win for plaintiffs would be a significant development.
October 15, 2025: What's Next for the J&J Cases in Federal Court?
There are currently more than 67,000 talc lawsuits grouped together in federal court, more than any other litigation in the country, and the number keeps growing. The number of active cases increased by nearly 300 over the course of September. The next milestone for these cases is a final pretrial conference on Nov. 5 for the upcoming bellwether trial. That trial will be a critical moment for these lawsuits. Bellwethers help both sides better understand the strength of their cases and can influence settlement negotiations.
October 14, 2025: Non-Ovarian Cancer Claims Could Soon Be Dismissed from the MDL
Both sides in the talc MDL have reached an agreement that could see upwards of 1,100 lawsuits dismissed. While the MDL exists for ovarian cancer lawsuits, claims involving other gynecological cancers like uterine, endometrial and cervical cancer have also been filed. Both sides now agree that the science does not back up those claims and are moving toward having them dismissed from federal court unless each plaintiff can provide an expert report that supports their claim. The focus of this litigation is on ovarian cancer lawsuits. They should not be affected by this development.
October 7, 2025: J&J Hit With Massive $966 Million Talc Verdict
A Los Angeles jury has awarded a staggering $966 million verdict to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma after using J&J's talcum powder. The jury awarded $16 million in compensatory damages and $950 million in punitive damages. J&J will likely look to appeal the ruling.
October 2, 2025: Mesothelioma Plaintiff Gets Increased Damages
A Connecticut judge has increased the verdict for a man who claimed he developed mesothelioma after using J&J talcum powder. A jury had awarded $15 million to the man following his trial last year, and the judge has now added another $10 million in punitive damages to that total.
September 17, 2025: Talc Lawsuits Advancing to Trial in California
While much of the attention on the talc ovarian cancer lawsuits goes to the more than 60,000 cases filed in federal court, cases in state court are advancing as well. An ovarian cancer trial is now scheduled to take place in California state court this November. This is a potentially significant moment for all of the tens of thousands of active cases across the country. Any trial result can help both sides better understand the strength of their cases and how similar trials may play out. A win for plaintiffs could be significant.
September 2, 2025: Talc Cases Continue to Grow
The number of active talc lawsuits continues to grow as both a potential trial and settlement negotiations approach. At the start of this month, there are 66,910 active cases grouped together in federal court. That's an increase of about 400 new cases over just the last few weeks.
August 2025
A final pretrial conference for the first talc bellwether case in the MDL has been set for early November, meaning the trial will likely take place soon after. This will be a significant step for this litigation that could have an impact on tens of thousands of pending cases. Bellwether trials give both sides the chance to better understand the strength of their cases and can influence settlement negotiations.
July 2025
The judge overseeing the talc lawsuits in federal court is taking steps to encourage both sides to at least discuss a potential settlement, granting a motion to appoint a mediator. J&J did not object to the appointment of a mediator to help with these talks, but stated in a court document that "the Johnson & Johnson Defendants do not believe that mediation is necessary or likely to be productive at this time." The first mediation session is set for early September.
June 2025
The lawyers representing plaintiffs in the talc MDL have selected the lawsuit that they would like to serve as the first bellwether trial. Bellwethers are a key part of the MDL process. They essentially act like test cases, with the outcome of the trial giving both sides a better idea of the strength of their arguments and which way the litigation is trending. If defendants lose the bellwether trials, they sometimes decide to agree to a settlement for all cases instead of risking taking more to trial.
April 2025
In the wake of the talc bankruptcy rejection, work in the MDL is once again underway. A status conference has been scheduled for June 17 as some of the outstanding issues in the MDL return to the spotlight, including the defendants’ motion for summary judgment.
March 2025
Judge Christopher Lopez has rejected Red River Talc's bankruptcy plan, bringing an end to Johnson & Johnson's proposed multibillion-dollar talcum powder settlement. J&J says that it does not plan to appeal the decision and instead will focus on combating the existing litigation.
February 2025
Red River Talc's bankruptcy hearing is now underway. This hearing is key to the future of J&J's $8 billion ovarian cancer settlement. In order for the settlement to be completed, Red River Talc's bankruptcy will need to be approved. The hearing began on Feb. 18 and is set to last more than a week.
January 2025
As the bankruptcy hearing key to J&J’s settlement plans nears, multiple objections have been filed. The U.S. Trustee, Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Health and Human Services have all objected to the bankruptcy, with the two departments stating that the settlement would disrupt their right to reimbursement of health care costs they have incurred in relation to these claims.
The U.S. Trustee, which has fought against the settlement plan since it was introduced, continues to claim that the case was filed in bad faith. J&J is attempting the controversial Texas two-step bankruptcy strategy, where a subsidiary takes on liabilities and files for bankruptcy in place of the main company. The bankruptcy hearing remains set for Feb. 18.
In other talc lawsuit news, a jury this month attempted to award $22 million to a plaintiff in a mesothelioma trial despite delivering a winning verdict to J&J. Jurors were not meant to fill out information on damages awarded to the plaintiff since the defendants had won the trial.
December 2024
The pause on talc ovarian cancer litigation will remain in place into March as Red River Talc’s bankruptcy proceedings continue. Talc lawsuits have been stayed since September as J&J has worked to complete its $8 billion settlement to resolve thousands of ovarian cancer lawsuits. The bankruptcy trial is set for Feb. 18.
November 2024
An Oregon judge has upheld a $260 million verdict in a J&J baby powder trial from June. Kyung Lee had been awarded the verdict after she developed mesothelioma at 49 years old following lifelong use of J&J’s talc-based powder.
October 2024
The DOJ's bankruptcy watchdog has filed a new motion to dismiss Red River Talc's bankruptcy case, citing its similarities to J&J's past settlement attempts. The judge overseeing the bankruptcy case said that a trial will likely be held in January or February over the motions to dismiss along with claims questioning plaintiff support for the settlement.
But in a big win for J&J's talc settlement hopes earlier this month, Judge Lopez allowed the bankruptcy case to remain in Texas. There had been pressure for the case to be moved to the New Jersey court where the company's past settlement attempts had failed. This is a key step toward completion of the $8 billion settlement.
September 2024
J&J’s subsidiary Red River Talc has filed for bankruptcy in Texas court. This is a necessary step to complete the company’s talc settlement proposal, which is believed to be worth about $8 billion. Shortly after the case was filed, Judge Christopher Lopez ordered an automatic stay on talc litigation.
J&J had tacked another $1.1 billion onto its proposal in early September. According to Reuters, the company also gained the support of a plaintiffs’ lawyer representing thousands of clients, which helped secure the 75% threshold of plaintiff support that J&J needed to move forward.
An Oregon state judge has overturned a win for plaintiff Kyung Lee from June. J&J had been ordered to pay Lee $260 million after she blamed her mesothelioma on decades-long use of the company’s baby powder.
August 2024:
On Aug. 15, a South Carolina state court jury ordered J&J and co-defendant American International Industries to pay $63.4 million in damages to Michael Perry, who blamed his mesothelioma on J&J’s baby powder. Perry had used the powder daily due to a deodorant allergy before he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2023.
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals denied J&J's third attempt at bankruptcy. Bloomberg reported that sources told the news outlet that J&J had met the 75% plaintiff voting threshold to get the $6.5 billion settlement approved through bankruptcy. The settlement still hasn't received court approval.
July 2024:
July has been a very busy month for talc-related lawsuit updates. A federal judge allowed J&J's $6.48 billion, 25-year lawsuit settlement plan to proceed despite plaintiffs' objections. The plan aims to settle thousands of talcum powder cancer lawsuits through a subsidiary's bankruptcy. Critics point out that two previous attempts to settle through bankruptcy failed, and the offer denies plaintiffs fair compensation.
Also this month, a judge dismissed J&J's subsidiary LTL Management's lawsuits against Dr. Jacqueline Moline, a scientist who wrote an influential paper on the link between asbestos-contaminated talc and cancer. J&J accused Moline of fraud and libel, among other things, but the judge found the lawsuit presented no evidence to prove its case.
At the beginning of July, The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer re-classified talc from a "possible carcinogen" to a "probable carcinogen," the second highest level for certainty that a substance causes cancer. Scientists reached their decision in part from limited evidence that talc increases risk of ovarian cancer.
Johnson & Johnson proposed a $505 million settlement with bankrupt talc miners Imerys Talc America and Cyprus Mines Corporation. In mid-July, the settlement addresses long-standing disputes and indemnification agreements related to talc liabilities as Imerys and Cyprus have historically been co-defendants in lawsuits against J&J for its talc-based products.
June 2024:
A class action lawsuit filed on June 17 in New Jersey called for J&J to pay for medical monitoring for talc-related cancer. The lawsuit would provide cancer monitoring for women who've used J&J talc products, but have not filed a cancer lawsuit. It could cost billions of dollars and affect tens of thousands of women.
June 2024:
J&J officially reached an agreement with 42 states and the District of Columbia to settle deceptive talc marketing claims for $700 million. Each state in the settlement will receive between $3 million and $78 million. The agreement would not affect individual lawsuits in the ongoing MDL.
June 2024:
On June 4, an Oregon jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay Kyung Lee $260 million. Lee, a 48-year-old woman, claimed that her mesothelioma was caused by her lifelong use of the company's baby powder tainted with asbestos.
May 2024:
A new NIH study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology linked talcum powder use to ovarian cancer, potentially bolstering lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. Experts said the findings could bolster plaintiffs’ claims, affecting the proposed $6.48 billion settlement and altering the course of litigation.
May 2024:
J&J offered ovarian cancer plaintiffs a $6.48 billion settlement over 25 years, facilitated through the bankruptcy of subsidiary LTL Management. This third attempt at a settlement would require three-quarters of the plaintiffs claiming ovarian cancer injuries to agree to the offer within 90 days.
April 2024:
An Illinois trial ended in victory for the family of Theresa Garcia, a woman who died of mesothelioma allegedly linked to her use of J&J's talcum-based baby powder. The jury ordered J&J and its Kenvue division to pay the family $45 million in damages.
April 2024:
A Sarasota, Florida, jury ruled that Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder was not the cause of Pat Matthey's cancer death in 2019. In 2016, doctors diagnosed her with ovarian cancer, and her son filed a wrongful death lawsuit against J&J on behalf of his mother's estate.
March 2024:
A Florida trial involving plaintiff Bob Sugarman, who sued J&J on behalf of his deceased wife Marilyn Seskin, ended in a mistrial on March 5 when the jury was unable to reach an agreement. Seskin was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer allegedly caused by Johnson's Baby Powder, according to the plaintiff.
February 2024:
The judge in the talcum powder MDL set various deadlines for depositions and Daubert motions through September 2024. Attorneys think the next trial will be at the end of 2024 at the earliest.
January 2024:
J&J tentatively agreed to a $700 million settlement with over 40 U.S. states regarding its talcum powder marketing. While the settlement doesn't directly affect individual talcum powder lawsuits, it could avert future case filings claiming that the company knew of a link between its talc powder products and cancer.
December 2023:
Several bellwether trials were scheduled in 2024 and 2025. J&J's LTL Management subsidiary was denied bankruptcy proceedings twice and expected to file a third time to push its $9 billion settlement through. In the meantime, cases had been quietly settling for confidential amounts.
April 2023:
According to a regulatory filing, LTL Management refiled for bankruptcy protection in a New Jersey court. Under a proposed agreement, J&J would pay about $8.9 billion over 25 years to current and future plaintiffs to settle talcum powder lawsuits.
April 2023:
In a New Jersey bankruptcy court, Judge Michael Kaplan nullified the LTL Management bankruptcy he had previously affirmed.
March 2023:
The U.S. Court of Appeals declined LTL Management’s request to stay a bankruptcy ruling while the company sought a U.S. Supreme Court review.
January 2023:
In Philadelphia, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit dismissed LTL Management’s bankruptcy status. The ruling temporarily prevented J&J from exploiting bankruptcy law to resolve the multibillion-dollar talc powder lawsuits it faces.
September 2022:
Plaintiffs' attorneys in J&J talc baby powder lawsuits presented their arguments against LTL Management’s bankruptcy in court.
October 2021:
J&J created the subsidiary LTL Management, which assumed the company’s then-$4.5 billion potential liabilities from talcum powder lawsuits. LTL Management filed for “Texas two-step bankruptcy” soon after.
June 2021:
In a landmark ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court declined J&J’s request to overturn a $2.1 billion Missouri court award to 22 women with ovarian cancer.
In 2019, Johnson & Johnson issued a recall of 33,000 bottles of Johnson’s Baby Powder after testing found asbestos in samples. While J&J continues to deny any liability and insists it did not sell cancer-causing products, it halted the sale of talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder in North America in May 2020. In 2023, it switched to a cornstarch-based alternative and discontinued worldwide sales of its talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder.
Did Johnson & Johnson Settle the Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
Johnson & Johnson has tried several times to resolve the talcum powder litigation through a settlement, but has not had success.
The company formed a subsidiary called LTL Management that filed for bankruptcy as part of an effort to complete a settlement via a Texas Two-Step maneuver in 2021, but that case was dismissed. J&J had LTL Management file for Chapter 11 a second time, but that attempt also failed.
On May 1, 2024, J&J proposed a $6.48 billion settlement for lawsuits claiming its talcum powder products caused ovarian cancer that would be paid out over 25 years and be funded through a subsidiary. To move forward, 75% of plaintiffs needed to vote to accept it within 90 days. Settlement experts with sources close to the litigation suggested that the required number of plaintiffs agreed to the proposed settlement in a secret ballot that ended in July.
J&J added an additional $1.1 billion to the settlement plan in early September, with the strategy remaining to pay out that money over 25 years. Reuters also reported that the company reached an agreement with a plaintiffs’ lawyer representing 12,000 clients to recommend the settlement plan, likely removing any doubt from the question of whether J&J had reached the 75% plaintiff threshold.
A new subsidiary called Red River Talc filed for bankruptcy to complete this settlement in September, but that attempt was then shot down by a judge in March.
Johnson & Johnson agreed to a $700 million settlement with 42 states over misleading marketing of its talc products, but this settlement doesn’t cover personal injuries for individuals.
Choosing a Talcum Powder Lawyer
Before choosing a law firm to represent you, consider their experience in personal injury litigation against major corporations. Working with top talcum powder lawyers is essential because defendants will deny liability and often have adequate resources to contest all claims, no matter how long it takes.
Ask whether they have nationwide resources and ask them the value of talc lawsuit settlements and verdicts they’ve secured for clients over the years. If you’re in the hospital or too sick to travel, you may need a lawyer with virtual consultation options and the flexibility to come to you.
Top talcum powder law firms to consider include Drugwatch’s legal partner, Simmons Hanly Conroy. The firm has secured millions in settlements and verdicts for its clients and has many years of experience litigating product liability claims, including those against Johnson & Johnson and other pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers.
Science Snapshot: What Major Health Agencies Report
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified talc as “probably carcinogenic to humans” through the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It has limited evidence in humans for ovarian cancer, sufficient evidence in lab animals and strong lab evidence. The IARC has determined that talc with asbestos is carcinogenic to humans.
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) hasn’t fully reviewed talc to determine if it causes cancer.
In August 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) proposed classifying talc as a carcinogen. This has drawn criticism from talc-related associations like the Essential Minerals Association, which says that strong evidence has determined that talc doesn’t cause cancer.
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“There are other things that cause ovarian cancer. So, that's the way in which J&J is trying to defend against these cases. They've lost multiple trials. And there are some specific cases where there are other clear explanations that are probably stronger explanations for the plaintiff’s ovarian cancer. But for the majority of these lawsuits, that's not going to be the case.”
