Attorneys general from 43 states and the District of Columbia on Tuesday announced a landmark $700 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson in multistate litigation targeting the harmful chemicals in its talcum-based body powder products.
The states alleged in lawsuits filed Tuesday that the pharmaceutical manufacturer intentionally deceived users about the safety of these products, including Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, since learning of talcum’s potentially carcinogenic properties as early as the 1950s. Talcum powder can contain asbestos, which has been linked to conditions such as mesothelioma, cancer, fibrosis and lung disease. J&J has sold more than 600 million talc products globally since 1992.
