Avoiding asbestos-contaminated talc products in the healthcare industry
The supply chain risks of the healthcare industry have long been neglected as compared to other industries, even before worldwide COVID shortages revealed the fragility of our distribution network.
The problem goes beyond delivery stoppage and surface contamination to the production level, with the recently flagged problems of counterfeit medication and an inadequate tracking system.
Particularly alarming to both the healthcare industry is the ongoing revelation that efforts to remove asbestos-contaminated talc from the manufacturing and supply chain have been lackluster, insufficient, and in many cases unsuccessful.
Talc testing for asbestos is not widespread, and recent research suggests that testing methods for asbestos in talc are unreliable and missed material detected by more sophisticated methods.
Following national recalls, legal settlements from Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Avon, and the abrupt discontinuation of Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder, consumers are left to wonder if corporate accountability is lagging, and reminded they must be their own best advocates.
For businesses and others in the healthcare industry, contaminated products also present a potentially major business liability – not to mention health risks that could be significant.
Baby Powder and Cancer Risk
Talc-based baby powders have been widely used due to their absorbent properties and fresh scent, making them a staple for infant care, cosmetic products, and household uses. However, their versatility has led to widespread exposure among both children and adults.
Doctors have noted asbestos diseases in talc miners since the 1960s, including mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos.
US agencies have long recognized the dangers of asbestos contamination in talc, and in 2020 the EPA reiterated the fact that not all talc contains asbestos, but a good deal of mined talc most certainly does. Products like makeup and crayons have been found to contain asbestos, while even packaged food products from abroad have been found to contain soil and talc that wasn’t removed in processing.
Studies have indicated that women, in particular, may face heightened risks due to direct skin application and repeated exposure during caregiving activities, contributing to a notable increase in ovarian cancer cases.
As a well-known carcinogen, asbestos can be harmful even if exposed in small amounts. Talc is mined near asbestos and, as a result, frequently contaminated with it.
Talc does not appear to be the carcinogen connecting talcum powder to cancer: but the asbestos fibers in the talc are one of the most potent cancer-causing materials on the planet.
Dynarex Recall
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found traces of asbestos through routine sampling, manufacturer Dynacare recalled 1,488 bottles of its talc-based Dynarex baby powder from a dozen states, then expanded the recall to 23 additional states.
Health authorities have issued warnings advising parents to stop using Dynacare, and healthcare providers to be on the lookout for respiratory issues in young children.
While voluntary recalls can sometimes shield manufacturers against litigation, they don’t automatically protect them from legal repercussions. It’s unclear thus far if there have been health consequences from potentially contaminated talc products.
Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos fibers, when inhaled or ingested, latch themselves permanently onto internal tissues, causing inflammation and, oftentimes, disease development.
Asbestos exposure has been linked to serious respiratory and digestive illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Symptoms can be unclear or take decades to manifest, leading to late diagnoses and limiting treatment options.
Why Asbestos is Still a Problem: Latency, Legacy, Lethargy
The widespread used asbestos products in industry and buildings has never entirely been undone. Regulations lagged because of corporate pushback, and much of the asbestos danger was brought to light because of documents produced in lawsuits.
Symptom latency also makes it difficult to link diseases to asbestos; symptoms can take 20-50+ years to appear, and regular screening isn’t common.
Baby Powder and Cancer Development
Because talc-based powder is both absorbent and commonly comes with a fresh scent, it has been sought after for a variety of uses. Parents have long applied the product to infants, and it has been added to cosmetic face powders as well as used as an antiperspirant, dry shampoo alternative, foot odor eliminator, and to freshen linens.
Ovarian Cancer
The powder’s versatility means that many households have had it on hand, affecting children and adults alike. Women are particularly at risk, having applied powder directly to their skin and hair or in caregiver roles. Along with secondhand exposure, this has led to a considerable increase in ovarian cancer cases.
Consumer Distrust
Companies often try to avoid recalls because they can lead to distrust of certain products among consumers. But discovering a corporate cover-up can be more damaging.
A recent survey revealed 61% of U.S. women have expressed deep concern over health risks associated with baby powder use, specifically. Trust has eroded, with 66% of U.S. women reporting diminished confidence in talc manufacturers. Reputational damage can be difficult to repair, and eventually impact bottom lines.
Market Impact
The overall economic impact on companies facing asbestos lawsuits can be substantial. Manufacturers have been forced into bankruptcy, leading to the ongoing payout of compensation for workers and families. Stock declines and asbestos litigation have resulted in selling multi-million and billion dollar settlements and judgments.
To date, both J&J and Avon have chosen to deny liability and shift blame to other parties. Only Dynarex has actively removed its products. While the company has opened itself up to potential litigation, this strengthens its position.
A Call for Education and Advocacy
Studies suggest that traditional methods of testing for asbestos in talc were not only insufficient, but likely by design intended to be lax through the efforts of industry. A talc industry corporate email on the subject of talc regulation read “We dodged a bullet in December based entirely on the confusion over the definition issue…Time to come up with more confusion!”
Joining doctors and labor advocates in calling for screening and safety are the unlikely heroes of attorneys demanding accountability from consumer giants like Johnson & Johnson. In fact a Reuters story claims that internal J&J documents reveal they knew about asbestos risks in their talc-based products but did not make consumers aware. It’s the asbestos industry playbook all over again.
Increasing Testing and the Fortifying the Supply Chain
Healthcare providers and industry leaders must prioritize education around the risks of asbestosexposure, particularly in talc-based products. Providing accessible resources, encouraging regular screenings for at-risk populations, and fostering open communication can help protect public health and reduce future liabilities.
Proposals on new technologies to better track and facilitate the supply chain may be in order, as well as more stringent regulation.
But for consumers and businesses alike, the safest path lies in using trusted sources and sellers, referred by agencies or individuals you trust. Some business opportunities that feel rushed or suspect may be worth passing up. And planning ahead through inventory and ongoing communication with suppliers is vital in today’s global marketplace.
Image Source: ID 180279728 | Baby Powder © Atlasfotoreception | Dreamstime.com
Justinian C. Lane, Esq.
Justinian C. Lane, Esq. is an authority on asbestos and its long and complicated history. After losing his father and grandparents to asbestos-related cancers, Justinian dedicated his law practice to advocating for health safety and helping individuals and families exposed to asbestos. He is completing a book on the history of industrial asbestos, and lessons it offers for confronting today's challenges.
