Consumers generally expect that the products sold in stores are relatively safe. Especially if the product is for human consumption or use on the body, people expect it to meet certain safety standards. Most businesses conduct rigorous safety testing before releasing new products for the public to purchase. They also need to maintain careful production standards to ensure safety. Small mistakes might lead to bacterial contamination and consumer illnesses.
In recent years, there has been a wave of lawsuits against health and beauty businesses for dangerous product contamination. The basis of these lawsuits is not bacteria growing due to unsanitary manufacturing conditions but rather contamination with a known carcinogen. There have been lawsuits alleging that talc powder had asbestos contamination. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen. Why would it ever end up in products intended for use on the human body?
Asbestos occurs naturally near talc
Asbestos is the perfect counter-argument for those who use the word natural to mean safe. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral substance that humans have mined and used for centuries. It is only in recent decades that medical science has conclusively connected asbestos to deadly human cancers.
Mesothelioma, lung cancer and certain reproductive cancers all have an association with asbestos exposure. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, meaning that consumers should avoid it entirely if possible. Unfortunately, the mines that produce talc for health and beauty companies often have veins of asbestos nearby. There are records dating back decades showing that some of the biggest health and beauty companies knew that asbestos contamination affected the quality of the talc included in their products.
Instead of carefully mining only in safe areas and consistently testing talc for contamination, companies mined carelessly and ignored the possibility of contaminated batches endangering public health. The result has been a surprising surge in cases of mesothelioma and other cancers in those with no professional exposure to asbestos.
The regular use of talc products, often near mucous membranes, can potentially explain why some individuals are developing deadly cancers. As such, pursuing a talc powder lawsuit can be a reasonable reaction to a certain kind of cancer diagnosis. Those who obtain compensation can pay for treatment costs and help support their families even as their health declines.