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The Talcum Powder Cancer Timeline

Baby Powder Cancer Research Emerges

• 1971: A study published by Dr. Henderson showed the first evidence of a link between talcum powder an cancer.
• 1982: Dr. Cramer's epidemiologic study is the first to look at the risk in a pointed fashion. Cramer concluded talc use could increase a woman's chance of developing ovarian cancer by 92%. The release of this study earned Dr. Cramer a visit from Dr. Bruce Semple, an employee of Johnson & Johnson. Dr. Semple urged Cramer to down play the risk of ovarian cancer from talcum powder dusting of the perineum. Dr. Cramer countered by urging Johnson & Johnson to warn consumers of the risk.
• Since 1982, more than 20 epidemiological studies have produced evidence documenting an increased risk for ovarian cancer from talcum powder use. Evidence presented to the jury indicates J&J and other industry officials were aware of the studies as they were published.

J&J Develops a Strategy to Conceal the Risk of Baby Powder Cancer

• 1986: A Johnson & Johnson "Technological Forecast" - an internal company document - describes talc as without health benefits. The company acknowledged, internally, that the safety of talcum powder was in question and that the health benefits of talcum powder were unknown.
• 1992: In response to declining sales of talc-based body products such as Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, J&J officials launch a marketing campaign directed at African American and Hispanic women in order to increase sales among those populations.
• Shortly thereafter, J&J joins the newly formed "Talc Interested Party Task Force". Comprised of representatives from the cosmetic and manufacturing industries, the task force sets out to create a "defense strategy" to keep talc unregulated.
• 1994: Dr. Samuel Epstein of the Cancer Prevention Coalition appeals to J&J to withdraw talcum powder products or, at a minimum, warn consumers of the link between perineal dusting with talcum powder and ovarian cancer development.

Numerous Companies Stop Using Talc for Internal Use

• 1995: Condom industry voluntary stops using talcum powder to dust its products, due to increasing evidence indicating talcum powder causes ovarian cancer.
• 1997: Internal company memos show employees within Johnson & Johnson are not in agreement about the appropriate course of action for responding to the talcum powder cancer risk. Dr. Wehner, the company's head toxicologist, wrote to Michael Chudkowski, the manager of preclinical toxicology, addressing concerns that the company was publicly lying about the safety of talcum powder for perneal dusting. This exchange is pivotal, because Wehner compares J&J's actions to the tobacco industry's denial of the obvious risk of lung cancer from smoking.
• 1998: Many internal documents have revealed the companies involved were internally strategizing for a fight against the talcum powder cancer risk while publicly acting as if nothing was happening. There is a characteristic document from 1998 where Luzenac (talc manufacturer) requested that scientists "from the club" - those on the talc industry's side - be brought in to oppose the classification of talc as carcinogenic.
• 1998: Quietly, without fanfare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson - Janssen Pharmaceuticals - changed the contents of its diaphragm labels, omitting an instruction to use talcum powder on the product. Similar to the cessation of talc being used in the condom industry, this quiet action speaks volumes, indicating the company was cognizant of the risk posed to women by talcum powder.

J&J's Talc Supplier Concedes to the Baby Powder Cancer Risk

• 2002: Luzenac formally initiates a strategy for responding to product liability litigation for talcum powder. Simultaneously, the companies continue to fight to classification of talc as a carcinogen by various health organizations.
• 2005: The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) votes to classify talc as a 2B carcinogen, stating the product is a possible carcinogen based on consistent research on the talcum powder cancer risk.
• 2006: Luzenac, the talc mining company that supplies raw talc to J&J factories, begins stamping its product with a talc cancer warning. Johnson & Johnson has still never warned consumers of the potential risk.

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