Is Baby Powder Safe? What Recent Verdicts & Science Reveal

Baby powder has long been a bathroom staple — soft, gentle, and meant to soothe. But recent legal verdicts and ongoing scientific debates are raising hard questions: Is baby powder safe? In October 2025, a California jury awarded $966 million to the family of Mae Moore, finding Johnson & Johnson liable for causing mesothelioma due to asbestos contamination in its talc baby powder.

That verdict adds momentum to years of litigation and research about whether talc (especially when contaminated with asbestos) may increase cancer risk. In this blog, we’ll cover:

• What talc and asbestos are
• The evidence for cancer risks
• How strong or weak that evidence is
• What consumers can do to reduce risk
• Alternate safe options

What Are Talc & Asbestos?

• Talc is a mineral used in many powders for its ability to absorb moisture and reduce friction.
• Asbestos is a separate group of minerals known to cause cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The problem is: talc deposits can sometimes coexist with asbestos in the earth, so contamination is possible.
• Because of that risk, some versions of talcum powders have been found to carry trace asbestos fibers. J&J has maintained their products were asbestos-free, but courts have accepted evidence that some contamination occurred.

What the Science & Epidemiology Tell Us

The picture is complicated — findings are mixed, and causation is not conclusively proven.

Evidence Suggesting Risk

• A recent study suggests that frequent genital talc use is associated with higher ovarian cancer risk.
• Some cohort data (e.g. the Sister Study) found a modest increase in ovarian cancer in women who used genital talcum powder.
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies genital use of talc-containing body powder as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
• Talc miners and workers exposed to talc dust (especially with asbestos exposure) show higher lung and respiratory cancer risks.

Evidence Against or Inconclusive

• Studies using animal models, pathology, and mechanistic analysis have not found clear proof that cosmetic talc causes ovarian cancer.
• The American Cancer Society states that research linking talc use and ovarian cancer has mixed results and that evidence is not definitive.
• Talc use on non-genital parts (e.g. face, underarms) has not shown convincing links to cancer.
• Many studies rely on self-reported retrospective use, which introduces recall bias.

In short: some evidence raises concern, but the science is still evolving — and many health authorities acknowledge uncertainty.

Why the Recent Verdict Matters

The $966 million jury verdict in California is among the largest single-user verdicts in talc litigation history. The jury found that J&J’s talc baby powder, contaminated with asbestos, caused mesothelioma for the deceased plaintiff, awarding both compensatory and punitive damages.

This verdict doesn’t on its own prove talc causes cancer in all cases, but it does show that courts can find manufacturers liable when evidence of contamination, concealment, or negligence is strong.

Other recent verdicts include:

• $42 million awarded in Massachusetts for a man who alleged talc use caused his cancer.
• A jury in Boston awarded $8 million in a talcum powder lawsuit involving mesothelioma claims.

At the same time, some settlement proposals have been rejected by courts (e.g. J&J’s $8B bankruptcy settlement) due to fairness or procedural issues.

What You Can Do to Reduce Risk

Until science is clearer, here are precautionary steps you can take:

1. Avoid genital talc use. Many risk concerns center on applying talc to the genital area.
2. Choose alternatives. Use cornstarch-based powders or other safer options.
3. Check product labels. Avoid powders listing “talc” in the ingredients.
4. Be cautious during pregnancy or chronic use.
5. Don’t rely on powders in babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics continues to advise against powder use for infants due to inhalation risk.
6. Stay informed. New FDA proposals are in the works to strengthen testing for asbestos contamination in cosmetic products.

Conclusion

Baby powder isn’t uniformly dangerous, but it’s no longer simple or guaranteed safe either. The recent $966 million verdict shines a spotlight on the possibility of harm, especially when contamination or concealment is involved. The scientific evidence is mixed — but there’s enough uncertainty that caution makes sense.

If you’re worried about past use, symptoms, or safety alternatives, talk with your doctor or dermatologist. And always read product labels and consider safer replacements.

FAQ

Q: Does using baby powder a few times increase cancer risk?‍

Probably not significantly. The concern is with long-term, frequent, or genital-area use, especially when talc is contaminated.

Q: Is powder on babies safe?‍

Powder use on infants — talc or otherwise — is discouraged due to inhalation risk. Use with great caution or avoid.

Q: What types of cancer are linked to talc?‍

Concerns are mostly around ovarian cancer and mesothelioma (if asbestos involved). Evidence for other cancers is weaker.

Q: Did J&J stop selling talc baby powder?‍

Yes — the talc-based version was discontinued globally in 2023, and the company now sells a cornstarch-based alternative.