A Missouri state court has accepted that the talcum powder caused Gloria Ristesund’s ovarian cancer, which resulted in an hysterectomy and surgery. Her cancer is now in remission. She was awarded $5m in compensatory damages and $50m in punitive damages.
It follows a ruling last February when Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $72m in damages to the family of another long-time user of the talc who had died from her ovarian cancer.
Talc in its mineral form does contain asbestos, a known carcinogen, but manufacturers have removed it since the 1970s. Studies about the cancer-causing effects of talc since then have not been conclusive, although the US courts seem to be convinced of a link.
(Source: BBC, May 3, 2016)
