Johnson & Johnson, a company that’s been around for more than a century, faces multiple lawsuits throughout the U.S. following allegations that their baby powder may cause ovarian cancer. Understandably, the thought that parents may have been inadvertently giving their little girls cancer has caused an uproar. However, it remains unclear whether the substance is actually responsible for the onset of the disease.
A $417 million jury verdict was recently reversed by a California judge in favor of a new trial between Johnson & Johnson and a female plaintiff suffering from ovarian cysts, according to Reuters. The woman claims that J & J has failed to adequately warn consumers of the dangers of their baby powder, while the judge argues the trial was rife with errors, insignificant evidence, and jury misconduct. The California case is just one of many in a series of legal actions against the corporation.
The reversal came just a few days after a $72 million litigation against the company was tossed by a Missouri court after another woman alleged the product caused her tumor formation, as reported by CBS News. The patient, now deceased, stated that she wanted the company to place warning labels on their items to prevent other ladies from facing a similar outlook. While the public and scientific community remain split on the issue, Johnson & Johnson argues that their goods are safe for use. Do they have a point?
Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder contains purified talc, which works by absorbing moisture to prevent the formation of rashes. This same substance is believed by some to also contribute to instances of malignant tumors – if it is able to travel into the vaginal cavity. According to the American Cancer Society, however, the scientific community is unsure of whether talc may contribute to the development of such diseases since current experiments have led to mixed results.
Shockingly, one study published in the academic journal Epidemiology studied over 4,000 females and found a link between subtypes of ovarian cysts and the application of talc, especially among those who are postmenopausal. However, there were a few variables that went unfixed, such as diet and lifestyle, causing the results to remain inconclusive. Further studies have also displayed mixed results. Of course, the controversy may frighten consumers who find themselves unsure of the safety of this product, which has been regularly utilized and advertised as a healthy resource for decades.
Since recent lawsuits have ruled evidence to be insufficient regarding carcinogenic effects of the baby powder, J & J remains unrequired to include warning labels, per FDA guidelines. As researchers continue to examine the effects of the substance on female health, Americans hope for a speedy result. Thousands use the product daily, though it remains unknown whether this staple for many, contributes to the 22 thousand new ovarian cancer cases present each year.
Liberty Nation will keep readers up to date as new developments become available.
