Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:49am on 16 Oct 2025,Thursday International
Three thousand UK claimants are suing Johnson & Johnson, alleging the pharmaceutical giant knowingly sold baby powder contaminated with asbestos-linked minerals since the 1960s. Internal documents reveal J&J identified tremolite and actinolite fibers both asbestos forms causing deadly cancers in its talc-based powder. A 1973 memo allegedly discussed keeping findings "confidential." The lawsuit claims J&J pushed US regulators to accept lower sensitivity standards tolerating up to one percent asbestos contamination while marketing the powder as pure. Many claimants suffer ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after prolonged use. J&J denies wrongdoing, stating its powder "was compliant with regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer." UK damages could reach hundreds of millions. (PC: Bloomberg)
