Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that is used in manufacturing a variety of household and commercial products, including paint and ceramics. Despite its widespread use as an ingredient for various items, it’s not completely harmless. For example, some studies have revealed that talc dust is toxic.

The material may be extremely dangerous if inhaled or swallowed. After inhalation, people report symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, breathing difficulties, and chest pain. According to some medical researchers, talcum powder poisoning can be fatal. This is why some product manufacturers include warnings on labels.

Talc is considered one of the softest materials. This property makes it popular in a wide range of consumer and industrial products. When crushed, the mineral becomes more useful and acquires more abilities, including:

• Lubricating
• Resisting high temperatures
• Absorbing oils

Common Products that Contain Talc

Different products contain talc in various forms. Its unique properties make it ideal for a wide range of applications. One of the most common products is body powder, and many people use it to smell fresh and clean.

Talcum powder is also one of the main ingredients in cosmetic products. Its excellent absorbent properties make it useful in manufacturing dry shampoo. Some people use it to deodorize dogs. Grease removers also contain talcum powder.

Is Talc Powder Carcinogenic?

There are many debates on the potential links of the powder to cancer. In the past decade, there have been many cases where women have sued the product manufacturers due to concerns that using it near the genitals may lead to ovarian cancer. However, some of the largest studies have disputed the claims.

Researchers asked the subjects about the frequency and the duration they had used talc powder in their genital areas. According to some studies, most women use it by directly applying it to their genital areas, on sanitary pads, or underwear.

In one of the studies, women who had used the powder before were found to have an 8% higher risk of suffering from ovarian cancer, which is not a significant difference. For women who had intact uteruses and fallopian tubes, using talcum powder increased their risk of ovarian cancer by 13%.

According to experts from the World Health Organization, using talcum powder in the genital areas is “possibly carcinogenic.” However, various U.S. research agencies maintain that the amount of evidence is inadequate to support the claim. Some research bodies say the impact of the product on cancer is “unclear.”

Even as scientists continue to investigate the relationship between talcum powder and cancer, many consumers have won lawsuits against product manufacturers. In 2016, some women received massive monetary awards after claiming using the powder had caused cancer.

The popularity of powder among women has declined significantly in the last five decades. Users apply it to their genitals to absorb any odors and moisture. One study revealed that talcum powder can also increase the risk of uterine cancer for users who are past menopause. There have been no other studies to establish whether there’s a link and further studies are necessary.

How Can a Lawyer Help?

According to personal injury firm Laborde Earles, if you’ve been injured by using baby powder with talc in it, you may be able to join a mass tort website that combines many claims into a single lawsuit to hold manufacturers accountable. This type of lawsuit will allow you and other victims to pool your resources and share evidence. 

You can find warning labels on many products when a product is harmful or has adverse effects if misused. What do you do if a dangerous product is unlabeled, and you incur injuries after using it? Can you sue manufacturers and get compensation? Which types of damages can you recover?

When injured by a particular product or experience negative side effects after using it, you can file a personal injury claim and get compensation. If a product is dangerous, the manufacturers are required by the law to reveal the dangers. The warnings should be explicit. If you believe talcum powder use has affected you negatively, contact an attorney to learn more about your options.

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