A little over a year after a jury awarded $4.7 billion to 22 women who alleged that they developed ovarian cancer by using Johnson & Johnson baby powder they claimed was contaminated by asbestos, major retailers are pulling the product from their shelves. The retailers have stopped selling a J&J product in response to a recall.
About the Recall
Johnson & Johnson recalled 33,000 bottles of its 22-ounce bottles of its baby powder. The company issued the recall after regulators from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration discovered trace amount of asbestos in one bottle of the baby powder that was purchased online. Representatives from the conglomerate state that the voluntary recall is limited to only one lot of 33,000 bottles of the product that was produced and shipped in the United States in 2018.
The company states that the recall is a precautionary measure. It maintains, as it did during the major lawsuit that resulted in a multibillion-dollar verdict, that its products do not contain asbestos. In a public statement, the company asserted that it has a rigorous testing standard to ensure the safety of its products. It also states that years of testing have demonstrated that there is no asbestos in its products. Furthermore, it contends that the FDA has previously tested its products and found no asbestos. It also states that independent laboratories have tested its products and found no asbestos.
The statement said that thousands of tests over the last 40 years have confirmed that the company’s talc products do not contain asbestos and that the talc is sourced from places that meet the company’s stringent specifications that exceed industry standards. It says it is currently investigating the issue involving the one bottle that was found to contain trace amounts of asbestos.
Despite the company’s assertions, Walmart, CVS and Rite Aid have pulled the suspected contaminated product from their shelves.
Pending Lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is currently facing thousands of lawsuits that claim the company’s talc-based baby powder contains asbestos and is responsible for consumers developing cancer. The company’s shares fell approximately 2% after news of the recall.
Dangers of Asbestos
When asbestos fibers are dislodged, they can be inhaled by people in their proximity. These fibers become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and then pass into the lungs or the digestive tract. When these fibers are trapped in the body, they can cause various health problems. The body cannot break down these fibers, so they remain in place and cause disease where they are located.
The most serious condition that can result from asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that develops in the membrane lining of the lungs, abdomen, chest or heart. People with this fatal condition often die within one year of their diagnosis.
These fibers can also cause people to develop asbestosis, a serious and chronic respiratory disease. People who have this condition typically have symptoms of a shortness of breath and a dry crackling sound in their lungs when they inhale. In serious cases, this disease can cause cardiac failure.
Lung cancer causes the most fatalities related to asbestos exposure. People who develop lung cancer after asbestos exposure often experience the following symptoms:
- Frequent coughing
- A change in breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Persistent chest pains
- Anemia
Asbestos exposure has also been linked to other forms of cancer, including those of the:
- Kidney
- Colon
- Stomach
- Esophagus
- Larynx
- Oral cavity
Help for People Exposed to Asbestos
Whether a person was exposed to asbestos due to a baby powder product or through their history of working with products that contained asbestos, legal help is available. An experienced lawyer can review the circumstances surrounding the claim and determine whether there is a viable claim against the manufacturer. Our knowledgeable lawyers can explain your legal rights and options during a free consultation. Contact us today to learn more.
