Johnson & Johnson rushed asbestos tests for its baby powder

Louisville residents may have heard that Johnson & Johnson is being accused of selling talc-based baby powder containing asbestos. A new report from the Wall Street Journal reveals that the corporation rushed several laboratory tests in the effort to show that its product was free of asbestos contamination.

J&J had commissioned two independent laboratories to conduct the tests on the same baby powder products that were recalled by the FDA. One of those laboratories actually found asbestos but then quickly changed its conclusion, stating that the talc sample provided by J&J was contaminated by the AC unit in the testing room.

Talc and asbestos are two naturally occurring minerals that can be found in close proximity to one another. At this stage, though, where the findings of the test have not been replicated, experts cannot say for certain if J&J’s baby powder did contain asbestos. Still, the corporation is facing over 16,000 lawsuits claiming that the baby powder is responsible for consumers developing conditions like ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

A federal judge is expected to give a ruling on whether the conflicting lab reports can be admitted as evidence. The FDA intensified its own testing back in 2017, but J&J continues to refute its findings.

Mesothelioma is one of the fatal diseases that are caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a harmful mineral in any quantity, so those who are exposed to it may be eligible for compensation. Perhaps they were working in an old building where asbestos was in the insulation or tiling, or maybe they used a product containing the mineral. Whatever the case, victims, or their families if victims die, may want to see a lawyer about filing a claim and seeking a fair settlement against the responsible party.