Talcum Powder

Talcum powder was a common household product for generations. The science about talc and cancer is still debated, and the litigation is large and complicated. This page explains what the government agencies say, where the cases stand, and what information may matter if you are thinking about a talcum powder lawsuit.

Talcum Powder: An Overview

Talc is a natural mineral. It soaks up moisture and reduces rubbing, so it has been used in baby powder, body powder, cosmetics and many other products.

For decades, researchers have studied whether using talc-based powder in the genital area is linked to ovarian cancer. There has also been concern that some talc may have been contaminated with asbestos, a known cause of cancer. Those questions are now at the center of a large body of litigation.

Why Is Talcum Powder Linked to Ovarian Cancer Litigation?

Three government health bodies have looked at talc and ovarian cancer. Their conclusions are worded differently, and the differences matter.

What the agencies say

FDA

Published studies going back to the 1960s have suggested a possible association between genital use of talc powders and ovarian cancer. But these studies have not conclusively shown a link, and more research is needed.1

IARC (2024)

Classified talc as "probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A), based on limited evidence for ovarian cancer in humans, sufficient evidence in animals and strong mechanistic evidence.2

National Cancer Institute

Results from case-control and cohort studies are inconsistent, so the data are inadequate to support an association between perineal talc use and higher ovarian cancer risk.3

IARC also said that asbestos contamination could not be ruled out in most of the human studies, and that bias in how people reported talc use could not be ruled out.2

In other words, some studies have reported an association, other studies have not, and the agencies do not agree on how strong the evidence is. None of these findings decides what caused any one person's cancer.

Understanding the Science

Cancer classifications can be confusing. IARC's job is hazard identification: deciding whether something is capable of causing cancer under some conditions. It does not measure a particular person's risk, and it does not prove that an exposure caused someone's disease.

For talc, IARC found limited evidence in humans for ovarian cancer.2 "Limited" means IARC saw a possible link but could not rule out other explanations, such as chance or bias. Our article on what IARC's talc classification means explains this in more detail.

Whether talc played a role in a specific person's illness is a separate question. Medical history, genetics, the exact diagnosis, other exposures and age may all matter.

Why Asbestos Is Part of the Talc Discussion

Talc and asbestos are different minerals. But they can form close to each other in the earth.1 That matters because asbestos is a known cause of cancer. If talc is mined where asbestos is present, contamination can become a concern, which is why the FDA says talc mining sites should be chosen carefully and the ore tested.1

The FDA has tested talc-containing cosmetics for asbestos in several rounds, including in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023.1 In December 2024, it proposed a rule setting testing methods for asbestos in talc cosmetics. In November 2025, it withdrew that proposal for further review.1 Read more in our article on the withdrawn FDA testing rule.

The fact that some talc sources may contain asbestos does not mean every talc product contained asbestos.

Ovarian cancer claims about long-term genital use of powder and claims about mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases can involve different exposures, medical evidence, science and legal theories. Our asbestos exposure page covers the asbestos side.

Products at the Center of Talc Litigation

Talc has been used in baby powders, body powders, cosmetics and other personal-care products. Johnson & Johnson's talc-based baby powder became one of the best-known products in the litigation. Plaintiffs in many cases have alleged that using certain talc products contributed to ovarian cancer or to asbestos-related disease.

Johnson & Johnson has denied these allegations. In court filings it has argued that large studies following tens of thousands of talc users found no meaningful association between cosmetic talc and ovarian cancer.10 Other manufacturers and suppliers have also faced talc claims.

A product being part of the litigation does not show that every version of it was contaminated, or that it caused a particular person's illness.

Johnson & Johnson Talc Litigation

The talc litigation against Johnson & Johnson has been going on for years. It has included individual trials, a large consolidated federal case, appeals and bankruptcy proceedings.

Federal ovarian cancer cases involving Johnson & Johnson talc products are consolidated in multidistrict litigation, In re: Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2738, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.56 An MDL gathers similar federal cases before one judge for pretrial matters. The cases are not combined into one lawsuit.

MDL No. 2738 at a glance

Court

U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey6

Judges

U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp and U.S. Magistrate Judge Rukhsanah L. Singh6

Pending actions

As of September 2026, approximately 69,250 actions were pending in MDL No. 2738, according to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.5

Case counts change every month. Check the latest JPML report for the current number.

See our article on the current status of the federal talc MDL.

How Bankruptcy Proceedings Have Affected Talc Litigation

Johnson & Johnson has tried to resolve talc claims through bankruptcy. Through a corporate restructuring, it created a subsidiary, LTL Management LLC, to hold its talc liabilities, and that company filed for bankruptcy.7

On January 30, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ordered that bankruptcy dismissed. The court held that LTL was not in financial distress, in part because of a funding agreement with its parent company, so its petition was not filed in good faith.7

The litigation has continued since then. As of September 2026, tens of thousands of federal cases remained pending in MDL No. 2738.5 A proposed bankruptcy plan or settlement is not the same as an approved one, and money is not available to individual claimants unless a plan or settlement has actually been approved and applies to their claims.

What Attorneys May Look at When Reviewing a Talc Claim

No single fact decides whether someone has a talcum powder lawsuit. In reviewing a possible ovarian cancer claim, an attorney may want to know:

• The specific cancer diagnosis
• The pathology or cancer subtype
• When the cancer was diagnosed
• Whether powder was used in the genital area
• How often it was used
• How many years it was used
• Which brands were used
• When those products were used
• Age and medical history
• Family history of ovarian or related cancers
• Genetic testing or known genetic risks
• Where the products were used
• Other possible exposures
• Legal deadlines that may apply

These factors do not automatically establish or rule out a claim. Each potential case needs an individual review.

The type of ovarian cancer may matter

"Ovarian cancer" covers several diseases. Ovarian epithelial cancer includes subtypes such as serous, mucinous, endometrioid and clear cell. High-grade serous cancer is the most common subtype.4 The exact diagnosis may matter, so pathology reports, surgical records and oncology records can help.

CBW Law does not decide whether talc caused anyone's cancer. Medical causation is complex. It can involve treating doctors, medical records, epidemiology, pathology, exposure history and expert analysis.

Do Not Throw Away Old Talcum Powder Products

If you or a family member still has an old container of baby powder, body powder or another talc product, keep it as it is.

Do not throw it away. Do not empty it, clean it, move the powder to another container or change the packaging. Do not try to test the product yourself.

Without opening it, take photos of the container, label, bottom, cap, barcode and any lot number. An old container may show:

• Product name
• Manufacturer
• Packaging design
• UPC or barcode
• Lot or batch information
• Ingredients
• Container size
• Clues about when it was made

Keep the container. Tell us what you used.

Tell Us Your Story → (800) 476-2416

Also keep old photos that show the product, receipts, medical records, pathology reports, surgical and oncology records, and notes about when and where the product was used. Evidence can disappear over time.

What If You No Longer Have the Bottle?

Many people used talcum powder decades ago and no longer have the container. That does not necessarily prevent a review. Product use can sometimes be shown in other ways, such as:

• Your own memory of using it
• A spouse or family member's account
• Old photographs
• Where you usually shopped
• Brands you preferred
• How the packaging looked
• The approximate years you used it

You do not need a perfect history before you contact us. Tell us what you remember, and more information can be gathered later.

Information That Can Help With a Talc Case Review

You do not need every record to reach out. If you have them, these can help:

Medical Information

• Exact diagnosis
• Approximate diagnosis date
• Pathology reports
• Oncology records
• Surgical records
• Treating doctors and hospitals

Product Use

• Brands of powder used
• Approximate years of use
• How often it was used
• How it was used
• Where it was bought
• Family who remember the use

Do not wait to contact an attorney just because some records or dates are missing.

What Happens After You Contact CBW Law?

Every case is different, but a review of a possible talcum powder claim may include these steps:

1. Tell us your story

   We start by learning about your diagnosis and your history of talcum powder use.

2. Product history

   We gather information about the products, how they were used, and the approximate years and frequency.

3. Medical information

   Relevant medical records may be reviewed to confirm the diagnosis and understand the medical history.

4. Evidence preservation

   Existing products, photos, packaging and records should be kept as they are.

5. Legal review

   The facts are evaluated under the laws and filing deadlines that may apply.

6. Next steps

   If a claim appears appropriate to pursue, the legal team explains what happens next.

Contacting CBW Law does not guarantee that a case will be accepted or that a claim will result in compensation.

Talcum Powder Verdicts and Settlements

Talc litigation has produced large jury verdicts, appeals and other court decisions. These results show the history and scale of the litigation, but they need to be read carefully. A verdict is not a settlement, and a verdict can be reduced, reversed or changed on appeal.

Ingham v. Johnson & Johnson (Missouri)

After a 2018 trial in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, a jury found for 22 women and their families who alleged that asbestos-contaminated talc products caused their ovarian cancer.810 The jury awarded $550 million in compensatory damages and $4.14 billion in punitive damages.8

On appeal, the Missouri Court of Appeals reversed the claims of some plaintiffs who were not Missouri residents, for lack of personal jurisdiction, and affirmed the rest as modified.8 According to Johnson & Johnson's later Supreme Court petition, the modified judgment was more than $2.1 billion.10 Johnson & Johnson denied the allegations and asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case. The Supreme Court denied review on June 1, 2021.9

Past verdicts and settlements do not guarantee or predict the outcome or value of another case.

What Could a Talcum Powder Claim Be Worth?

There is no responsible way to put a value on a talcum powder claim based only on a diagnosis or a history of use. Outcomes can depend on the diagnosis, the evidence of product use, medical history, the law that applies, the defendants and the status of the litigation.

Large verdicts in the news should not be treated as estimates of what anyone else may receive. CBW Law can review your circumstances, but no law firm can guarantee a settlement, a verdict or any amount of compensation.

Talcum Powder Claims Have Filing Deadlines

Every state limits how long a person has to bring certain claims. The deadline may depend on where you live, where the products were used, when you were diagnosed, when a possible connection was discovered and the type of claim.

There is no single deadline for every talcum powder case. If you are concerned about a possible claim, it may be wise to have your situation reviewed rather than assume there is still time.

Medical information disclaimer: The medical and health information on this page is for general information only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat or make decisions about any medical condition. It may not apply to your situation. If you have questions about your health, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment or exposure to talc or asbestos, speak with a qualified health care professional.

Questions

Talcum powder questions

Short answers to common questions about talc, ovarian cancer and the litigation.

Does talcum powder cause ovarian cancer?

Researchers have studied this for decades. Some studies have reported an association with genital use of talc powder, and others have not. The FDA says the studies have not conclusively shown a link, and the National Cancer Institute calls the evidence inadequate. IARC classified talc as probably carcinogenic based on limited human evidence plus animal and mechanistic evidence. None of these findings decides what caused one person's cancer.

What does IARC's Group 2A classification mean?

It means IARC classified talc as "probably carcinogenic to humans." It is a hazard classification. It does not mean everyone exposed will get cancer, or that talc caused a particular person's illness.

Is talc the same as asbestos?

No. They are different natural minerals. They can form near each other in the earth, which is why contamination of some talc sources has been a concern.

Did every talcum powder product contain asbestos?

No. The possibility of contamination does not mean every talc product contained asbestos. The product's source, how it was made, testing and other evidence can matter.

What if I used baby powder decades ago?

Past use can still be relevant to a legal review. Attorneys may look at the product, the years and frequency of use, how it was applied, the diagnosis, medical history and filing deadlines.

What if I don't remember exactly when I started using talcum powder?

Many people can't remember exact dates. Approximate dates, life events, photos, family members and shopping habits can help rebuild a history.

What if I no longer have the talcum powder container?

That does not necessarily prevent a review. Other evidence may help show product use. If you do still have an old container, keep it rather than throwing it away or changing it.

Should I have an old talcum powder container tested?

Do not try to sample or test it yourself. Keep the container as it is, and talk with an attorney before opening, moving or testing its contents.

Are talcum powder lawsuits still being filed?

Talc litigation remains active. As of September 2026, about 69,250 actions were pending in the federal MDL in New Jersey. Whether a particular person can still bring a claim depends on the facts and the deadlines that apply.

How long does a talcum powder lawsuit take?

There is no standard timeline. It can depend on the court, the litigation, the evidence, the defendants, appeals and settlement talks.

How much is a talcum powder lawsuit worth?

There is no reliable "average" value. Verdicts in other cases involved different facts and may later have been reduced or reversed. The value of a claim, if any, requires an individual legal review.

Is there a talc lawsuit settlement I can join?

Johnson & Johnson has proposed resolving talc claims through bankruptcy before, but a proposal is not an approved settlement. Whether any settlement applies to a person depends on its terms and on court approval. An attorney can explain the current options.

Tell Us Your Story

If you or a family member was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talcum powder, CBW Law can listen to what happened and help determine whether the circumstances should be looked at more closely.

You do not need every medical record, receipt or exact date before reaching out. Tell us what you know. We can start there. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Tell Us Your Story →

This page is general information about talcum powder and the talc litigation. It is not legal or medical advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Allegations in lawsuits are not findings of fact. Litigation status and case counts change over time. No outcome can be promised in any case.