Why In NEWS
- The debate over whether talcum powder poses serious health risks is in the spotlight again as its perineal use is possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Risks posed by Talcum Powder
- Talcum powder is harmful to the lungs
- Ovarian cancer
In India
- From fighting perspiration and odour, to helping lend the user a ‘fairer’ skin tone, a large number of Indian consumers rely on talcum powder and the market is estimated to be worth about ₹700 crore.
J&J case
- In July, a U.S. court ordered pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson to pay $4.7 billion to 22 women who claimed that they had suffered from cancer as a result of using J&J’s talcum powder. The company is contesting that verdict.
