Millions of American households rely on Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder, whether for their children or for their own personal hygiene needs. Yet in recent years, the public has discovered that this product — which markets itself as safe and pure — may actually be incredibly dangerous.

As it turns out, the talcum powder used in Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder is known to cause cancer — a fact that the massive corporation has known for decades. Since at least 1971, Johnson & Johnson knew that the talc used in their products may contain asbestos. They continued to sell it — and consumers continued to sprinkle it on themselves and their infants and children. By the 1990’s, internal company documents show that Johnson & Johnson was aware that there was a direct link between using talc powder for hygienic purposes and ovarian cancer. The company did not warn the public. Instead, it continued to market the powder to women, particular Black and Latina women.

The potential harms associated with talcum powder include:

• Ovarian cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Fallopian tube cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Vulvar cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Pelvic cancer
• Polyps
• Lung cancer
• Pulmonary talcosis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Pulmonary granulomatosis

More than 5,000 lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and other talc product manufacturers are currently pending.

Although other countries have banned the use of talc in cosmetic and hygiene products, the United States has not. Johnson & Johnson continues to use talc in its baby powder and other products, and refuses to place a warning about the dangers of using talc on its products.

It is up to us to act! By exerting public pressure on the company, we can demand that they change their practices — and stop putting our lives at risk by continuing to put talc in their products. Sign the petition today to demand that Johnson & Johnson Toss the Talc!