Talc (Talcum Powder)

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral made of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. Ground into a fine powder, it absorbs moisture and reduces friction, which is why it has been used in baby powder, body powder, eye shadow, blush, and many other cosmetics.

The concern is contamination. Talc and asbestos can form in the same rock deposits, so talc can become contaminated with asbestos fibers if the mine site and processing are not carefully controlled. Asbestos is a known cause of mesothelioma and other cancers. Plaintiffs also claim that using talc powder in the genital area for years raised their risk of ovarian cancer.

Regulation has been slow. The 2022 Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act required FDA to set asbestos testing standards for talc cosmetics. FDA proposed a rule in December 2024, but on November 28, 2025, FDA announced it was withdrawing its proposed rule on testing methods for detecting asbestos in talc-containing cosmetics in response to public comments, so a final federal testing standard is not yet in place.

Johnson and Johnson, the best-known defendant, stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada in 2020 and later worldwide, while denying its product caused cancer. A bankruptcy court in Texas dismissed its third attempt to resolve the claims through a subsidiary's bankruptcy on March 31, 2025, and the litigation continues in the courts. See our talc ovarian cancer lawsuit page, the J&J talc settlement page, and the mesothelioma and asbestos page for exposure claims.