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Mesothelioma Linked to Asbestos in Talc Body Powder

November 6, 2014 — A team of researchers have linked asbestos in a popular talcum powder product to a case of mesothelioma, published last month in the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health.

Asbestos, a known carcinogen, was banned from consumer products in the 1970s by the FDA. Talcum, the powdered form of the mineral magnesium silicate, naturally contains low levels of asbestos.

In the last couple decades, several studies have linked talcum powder with an increased risk of ovarian cancer in women who applied the powder to the genital area every day. The researchers decided to see whether talcum inhaled in the air might increase the risk of mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive type of lung cancer.

Scientists focused on the case of a woman who reported using a talcum body-powder product every day for years. After she died from mesothelioma, the researchers examined the asbestos fibers in her lungs. They were traced to the body-powder product and even back to the mine where the talcum was found.

The scientists also created a simulated bathroom environment to see how much asbestos would be inhaled by using a powder-puff or shake container. The tests repeatedly showed high levels of inhalable asbestos were released.

This led the scientists to conclude:

“The inhalation of talc may cause lung fibrosis in the form of granulomatose nodules called talcosis. Exposure to talc has also been suggested as a causative factor in the development of ovarian carcinomas, gynecological tumors, and mesothelioma.”

Symptoms of mesothelioma typically include chest pain, chronic cough (may be bloody), shortness of breath, fatigue, and more. The highly-aggressive cancer has three main types:

  • Pleural mesothelioma (thin outer lining of the lungs)
  • Peritoneal mesothelioma (abdominal cavity)
  • Pericardial mesothelioma (sac around the heart)

Do I have a Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting talcum powder induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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