US pharma giant Johnson & Johnson seeks to settle baby powder case • FRANCE 24 English

Summary

Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay nearly $9 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits alleging that its talcum powder caused ovarian cancer. Despite stopping sales in the U.S. and Canada in 2020, the company maintains there is no asbestos in its product. However, some studies suggest contamination is possible and could lead to cancer, with conflicting reports on the risks. Reuters' investigation revealed internal memos suggesting Johnson & Johnson avoided extensive testing to protect its business. If approved, this settlement would be one of the largest liability payouts in U.S. history.

Takeaways

• 💊 Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay nearly $9 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits claiming its talcum powder caused ovarian cancer.
• ⚖️ The settlement, if approved by a New Jersey court, would be one of the largest liability payouts in U.S. history, alongside tobacco and opioid cases.
• 🚫 Johnson & Johnson stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada in 2020 but has not admitted any wrongdoing.
• 🔍 Asbestos, a known cancer-causing agent, is often linked to construction materials, but it can sometimes accidentally contaminate talc-based products like baby powder.
• ⚠️ Baby powder contains magnesium, silicon, and oxygen, and contamination with asbestos can occur during production, potentially leading to ovarian cancer when used on the body.
• 📉 While Johnson & Johnson disputes the claims, some studies, including a 2016 report, suggest a 30% increased risk of cancer when using contaminated baby powder.
• 📰 Johnson & Johnson continues to assert that its baby powder does not contain asbestos and maintains that studies supporting this claim are flawed.
• 📑 An investigation by Reuters revealed memos and reports dating back to the 1970s that show traces of asbestos in the powder and suggest Johnson & Johnson knew about the contamination.
• 🕵️ According to the Reuters report, Johnson & Johnson allegedly avoided conducting extensive studies to prevent giving its competitors or critics evidence against them.
• 📰 The controversy continues, with conflicting studies and claims about the safety of talc-based baby powder, raising concerns over corporate responsibility and public health.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the news report?

The main topic is Johnson & Johnson agreeing to pay nearly $9 billion to settle lawsuits alleging its talcum powder caused ovarian cancer.

Has Johnson & Johnson admitted wrongdoing in these lawsuits?

No, Johnson & Johnson has not admitted any wrongdoing, but it stopped selling its talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada in 2020.

What is the reason behind asbestos being linked to cancer?

Asbestos is linked to cancer because it consists of long, flexible fibers that are resistant to fire, heat, and chemicals, but exposure to these fibers can cause cancer, which led to it being banned in 1997.

How might baby powder be contaminated with asbestos?

Baby powder, which is made of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen, can sometimes be accidentally contaminated with asbestos, which could potentially cause health risks.

How can asbestos in baby powder cause ovarian cancer?

When women use the talcum powder on their genitals, it can travel to the ovaries and lymph nodes, potentially contributing to the development of ovarian cancer.

Why does Johnson & Johnson continue to argue there is no asbestos in its baby powder?

Johnson & Johnson claims the settlement is only to end the lawsuits and argues that studies have shown no asbestos in its baby powder or any increased cancer risk from using it.

What have some studies suggested about the cancer risk associated with talcum powder?

Some studies, including a 2016 report, have suggested that using contaminated baby powder could increase the risk of cancer by 30%, which contradicts Johnson & Johnson’s claims.

What did a Reuters investigation reveal about Johnson & Johnson’s handling of the asbestos issue?

The Reuters investigation revealed that Johnson & Johnson had known about traces of asbestos in its baby powder since the 1970s and had internal memos showing the company was hesitant to conduct more studies to avoid giving information to competitors or critics.

What was Johnson & Johnson's policy regarding testing for asbestos in baby powder, according to internal memos?

Internal memos suggest that Johnson & Johnson avoided conducting too many tests on its baby powder unless they were under legal or competitive pressure, preferring to protect themselves from potential attacks.

When will Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder be banned worldwide?

The talcum powder will be banned worldwide in 2023.