FDA Examined Asbestos in Talc During Public Meeting

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a public hearing to address the revelations about the safety of talc-based products and claims of asbestos in baby powders and cosmetics.

The meeting was held on February 4, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Silver Spring, MD. The purpose of the meeting was to collect comments about public concern and inform potential future action. It is the first time in 50 years that testing for asbestos in talc has been officially considered by the FDA.

According to an official release about the meeting from the FDA, it was meant to “discuss and obtain scientific data and information on topics related to testing methodologies, terminology, and criteria that can be applied to characterize and measure asbestos and other potentially harmful elongate mineral particles (EMPs) that may be present as contaminants in talc.”

“Elongate mineral particles (EMPs)” refers to other possibly dangerous substances in talcum powders. Although the conversation about the hazards of talc use has focused primarily on asbestos in the past, there are other particles in talc-based products that could also cause injury. These other minerals may not be carcinogenic, but the structure of the particles could contribute to similar inflammation and irritation.

Despite the similarities between talc, asbestos, and EMPs — talc and asbestos commonly exist closely in their pure minimal forms — the presence of hazardous minerals in talc-based products has not been a major concern of the FDA until recently. Testing for asbestos in talcum powders and cosmetics has been left to manufacturers for years.

Legal Action Concerning Asbestos in Talc

Talc-based products, especially those manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, have been the subject of nationwide injury litigation. Asbestos was detected in the cosmetic and home product company’s baby powder products by the FDA and linked to the development of ovarian cancer in a number of people.

The Food and Drug Administration’s public meeting was held to guide the regulatory agency toward more stringent testing practices. The goal of their efforts and the litigation across the country is to not only expand testing processes, but regulation as a whole — including more informative labels and marketing.

The Golomb Legallegal team can assist you in a claim against Johnson & Johnson. If you were diagnosed with ovarian cancer following regular use of talcum powder, you may have a claim.