Understanding New Forms of Asbestos Exposure

There has been much news coverage in the past year regarding asbestos exposure through talcum powder and other products. Manufacturers of talcum powder use talc, a soft mineral, with many consumer products, like cosmetics and personal hygiene products.

How Asbestos Contaminates Talc

Mineral deposits that contain talc are sometimes adjacent to asbestos deposits. In the past three years, investigators found traces of asbestos in cosmetics and talcum powder. These discoveries led to recalls of many consumer products. Though the risk factors for those working in talc mining are more easily determined, the exposure from the consumer products that use talc is trickier. Given the amount of time that the asbestos exposure takes to present itself medically, these exposure points can be even more challenging to determine. Here are the types of cancer linked to asbestos in talc:

• Ovarian cancer: Thousands of consumers have filed lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers of talc products due to a potential link to ovarian cancers.

• Mesothelioma: Talcum powder use may have inhalation risks and correlations with mesothelioma.

Approaching New Data Cautiously

Despite conflicting studies, there is data that both supports and refutes the link between asbestos-contaminated talc usages and cancer. As many people suffering from asbestos-related cancers are filing successful suits against talc manufacturers, the landscape of this field requires much more research and work to determine these causations. If you or a loved one believes that your cancer was caused by asbestos-contaminated talc exposure, you need to contact a personal injury lawyer with experience in mesothelioma and cancer-related claims to determine your options.