The State of Alabama will receive nearly $13.5 million pending judicial review of a settlement between 41 states, the District of Columbia and Johnson & Johnson. The payments will be made in four annual installments.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the lawsuit was related to Johnson & Johnson's baby powder and body powder products, which contained talc.
The mineral talc contains magnesium, silicon and oxygen. According to the American Cancer Society, some talc also contains asbestos and can cause lung cancer if inhaled. Studies have shown the risk of reproductive cancers increases significantly for women who regularly use powder that contains talc.
“For generations, Johnson & Johnson advertised baby powder as a ‘clinically proven’ product for women and girls,” Marshall said. “Yet, since the 1980s this same company has known of studies showing their talc powder products were tainted with carcinogenic asbestos, increasing a user’s risk of ovarian cancer. Our large bipartisan coalition investigated and took necessary action for knowingly exploiting and deceiving consumers.”
While Marshall said the settlement cannot undo damages, it will prevent further damages. The funds from the settlement will be used for consumer protection enforcement and education.
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin also joined the lawsuit.
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