An extensive investigation by Reuters has revealed that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) was aware for decades that its talcum powder products were sometimes contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. Internal documents from as far back as the 1970s indicate that J&J’s raw talc and finished powders sometimes tested positive for small amounts of asbestos. Despite this, J&J did not disclose these findings to regulators or the public.

Key Evidence

1. Internal Memos and Test Results: The Reuters report, authored by Lisa Girion, uncovered internal company memos, reports, and other documents that showed J&J's talc, from at least 1971 to the early 2000s, sometimes contained asbestos. For example, a company executive advised against informing the FDA about certain tests in the 1970s that detected asbestos in their talc products.

2. Asbestos Contamination: The documents revealed that asbestos, a dangerous substance closely associated with talc in natural deposits, was intermittently present in J&J’s talcum powder products. This contamination was confirmed through tests conducted by both J&J and external laboratories.

3. Public Denial and Litigation: Throughout various trials, J&J has maintained that its products are safe, stating that thousands of tests have shown no asbestos presence. However, the evidence presented in court cases contradicted these claims, leading to substantial verdicts against the company, including a $4.69 billion judgment in favor of 22 women who alleged that J&J's talc products caused their ovarian cancer.

4. Influence on Regulatory Bodies: The investigation also highlighted how J&J influenced regulatory bodies to avoid stringent oversight. For instance, the FDA received a petition in 2014 to add a warning label on talc products, which was declined partly based on J&J’s reassurances about product safety.

Impact and Response

The fallout from these revelations has been significant. The American Cancer Society revised its stance on talcum powder, indicating that cosmetic talc should be free from detectable amounts of asbestos, acknowledging the potential risks more explicitly. Additionally, J&J has faced over 53,000 lawsuits from individuals claiming that their talc products caused cancer, with many citing the asbestos contamination as a critical factor.

Johnson & Johnson has consistently denied wrongdoing, claiming their talc products are safe and asbestos-free. However, the weight of evidence from internal documents has cast significant doubt on these assertions, leading to substantial legal and financial repercussions for the company.

For a detailed analysis and the complete investigative report, you can read the Reuters Special Report by Lisa Girion.