What talc is
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined from the earth. Ground into a powder, it absorbs moisture and keeps products from caking, which is why it has been used in baby and body powders, face powder, eye shadow and blush.
Talc and asbestos can form close together underground. Asbestos is a known cause of cancer when inhaled, so the FDA says talc mining sites must be chosen carefully and the ore tested.
Who may be affected
Most lawsuits involve people who used talc body powder regularly for years. Claims about ovarian cancer usually involve use for personal hygiene in the genital area. Claims about mesothelioma usually involve breathing powder that the lawsuits say contained asbestos. Some claims involve people who worked with talc on the job. Because mesothelioma can take decades to appear, many claims involve product use that began long ago.
Lawsuits have named Johnson & Johnson as well as other cosmetic companies and talc suppliers.
What the science says
Researchers disagree. In 2024 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified talc as "probably carcinogenic to humans," meaning probably able to cause cancer in people, citing limited evidence in people and stronger evidence from animal and laboratory studies. Talc that contains asbestos is classified as a known cause of cancer.
The National Cancer Institute says studies of women who used talc on the genital area have not found clear evidence of a higher ovarian cancer risk, and the FDA says studies have not conclusively shown a link. An IARC rating describes whether something can cause cancer, not how likely that is in everyday use.
Where things stand (as of October 2026)
In 2019, FDA testing found asbestos in some cosmetic products, and the agency warned consumers to stop using them. A 2022 law required the FDA to set standard asbestos testing methods for talc cosmetics. The FDA proposed a rule in December 2024 but withdrew it in November 2025 to consider public comments further, and the sources checked showed no final rule as of October 2026.
In court, about 69,000 cases against Johnson & Johnson are pending in federal court in New Jersey, where J&J proposed a $5.5 billion ovarian cancer settlement in July 2026 that depends on very high participation. Claims against other companies, and mesothelioma cases, continue separately. The Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder page covers those cases in more detail.
Deadlines and what to gather
Each state sets its own statute of limitations, the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. It is usually tied to the diagnosis or to when a person learned of a possible link, and the rules differ widely. Settlement programs and bankruptcy cases can set their own deadlines. If a person dies before a claim is filed, family members may have a separate wrongful death claim with its own deadline.
- Medical records and pathology reports confirming the diagnosis
- A list of talc products used, with brands, years and how often
- Any containers, photos or receipts you still have
- Your work history, especially jobs with talc or asbestos exposure
- Any notices from courts, settlement programs or bankruptcy trusts
Talking to a lawyer
A licensed attorney who handles talc and asbestos cases can help identify which companies made or supplied the products you used and which deadlines apply. Your state bar's lawyer referral service can help you find one.
These lawyers usually work on a contingency fee under a written agreement, taking a percentage of any recovery. Ask how costs are handled and whether claims against several companies are covered by one agreement. Because talc cases can involve several companies and bankruptcy trusts, a lawyer can also explain how separate claims fit together and whether any have already been resolved.
