Talc is a naturally-formed mineral that is mined around the world. Its main components are silicon, magnesium, and oxygen and it is considered the softest mineral. Talc is known for its ability to absorb moisture, including both water-based and oil-based human moisture and perspiration.
When it is crushed, it is transformed to a powder. “Talcum” powder and other consumer products contain talc – these include the talc-containing Johnson’s® Baby Powder and Shower to Shower® Body Powder (a brand originally owned by Johnson & Johnson and then acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. in 2012). The main supplier of the talc contained in these products was Imerys, a mining company formerly known as Luzenac America, Inc.
Talc and asbestos are minerals mined from geologic formations found throughout the world. Talc deposits have been identified in formations that include, or are located near, asbestos deposits. Because of this phenomena, asbestos-contaminated talc has been identified and documented by geologists for years. In different contexts, the term “asbestiform talc” has been used to identify and describe talc particles that contain asbestos fibers.
There are different grades of talc: “Commercial” or “Industrial” talc contains other minerals; “Cosmetic” talc refers to products that contain more than 98% talc; and “Pharmaceutical” talc refers to products containing more than 99% talc. Talc-containing baby and body powders are considered “Cosmetic” talc and are produced primarily using talc mined and sold by Imerys Corporation, the supplier of talc used in Johnsons Baby Powder® and Shower to Shower® body powders.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), “...as late as 1973, some talc products sold in the USA contained detectable levels of chrysotile asbestos, tremolite or anthophyllite (Rohl et al, 1976) and it is possible that they remained on the market in some places in the world for some time after that (Jehan, 1984).”
Throughout the many years it has been selling Johnson’s® Baby Powder and Shower to Shower® Body Powder, Johnson & Johnson has used talc as the main ingredient for each. First introduced in 1894, Johnson’s® Baby Powder contained over 99% talc. Known for its moisture-absorbing qualities, the talc eased baby’s diaper rash. Over time, Johnson & Johnson expanded its “powder market” by focusing on women’s use of both Johnson’s® Baby Powder and the more recently created Shower to Shower® Body Powder. In 2012, Johnson & Johnson sold the Shower to Shower® Body Powder brand to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.
At no time did Johnson & Johnson include any warning about the association between a women’s application of talc-containing Johnson’s® Baby Powder and Shower to Shower® Body Powder to her genital area and the increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Internal company documents disclosed for the recent trial in St. Louis indicate that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the studies and attempted to discredit them. More importantly for women, unlike warnings and labeling for prescription drugs, those for consumer cosmetic products like Johnson’s® Baby Powder and Shower to Shower® Body Powder remain basically unregulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.