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Talc 15/6
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Talc troubles: Women claim powder contributed to ovarian cancer
Jun 14, 2016 | Journal Record
By Dale Denwalt
Two Oklahoma City women have joined the chorus of lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, claiming their use of the company’s talcum powder caused ovarian cancer. -
Baby Powder Lawsuits Raise Questions about Talc’s Cancer Risk
Jun 15, 2016 | Ground Report
By Ivan Dimitrijevic
In an overwhelming development in the last few years, thousands of women have filed lawsuits against American Organization Johnson & Johnson. These women have contracted ovarian cancer and they allege that it was the usage of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder that caused the disease. -
Reputation Institute: Talc lawsuits not hurting J&J's image with millennials
Jun 14, 2016 | PR Week
By Sean Czarnecki
Despite a rash of bad publicity from high-profile cases over its products using talcum powder, Johnson & Johnson has a thriving reputation among millennials, according to research released recently by the Reputation Institute. -
Green cosmetics, a healthy alternative
Jun 14, 2016 | IOL
By Omenshnie Naidoo
Possible links between talc and ovarian cancer have dominated the international cosmetics industry for weeks now, after international pharmaceutical company, Johnson & Johnson came under fire for risks associated with their baby powder and Shower to Shower gel.
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Talc troubles: Women claim powder contributed to ovarian cancer
Jun 14, 2016 | Journal Record
By Dale Denwalt
Two Oklahoma City women have joined the chorus of lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, claiming their use of the company’s talcum powder caused ovarian cancer.
So far this year, juries in St. Louis awarded women $55 million and $72 million in similar product liability cases.
Mary R. Robb and Melissa Ann Aguilar allege in the local lawsuit that long-term use of baby powder on their genitals led to diagnoses of ovarian cancer earlier this year. Robb used the product for 42 years, and Aguilar used it for 15, according to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma.
The allegations are based on research that showed a higher incidence of ovarian cancer among talc users, but some medical experts have said the link is tenuous. According to the American Cancer Society, research findings have shown mixed results. For some studies that reported an increase in cancer, the ACS noted that the results could be biased because they relied on a person’s memory of talcum powder use over several decades. The International Agency for Research on Cancer rates the powder as possibly carcinogenic because human and animal studies show limited evidence of an association.
Even though science hasn’t definitively proven a link, law firms and cancer patients have taken the company to court.
In the original petition filed in state court, attorney Matthew Sill wrote that a 1982 study showed a 92-percent increased risk of ovarian cancer in women who reported talc use. The problem with that figure, said epidemiologist Joshua Muscat, is that the increased risk is relative compared to the already low risk of getting ovarian cancer in the first place. Muscat also noted the incomplete scientific literature.
“It’s not to deny that there are these statistical associations in some but not all studies that kind of warrant an interest in investigating the potential effects of perineal dusting,” said Muscat, a professor at Penn State University who served as an expert witness for Johnson & Johnson in a 2013 talc case. “The court rulings in St. Louis are at odds with what the medical and scientific community have already reviewed, that there is not sufficient evidence that it’s a human carcinogen. But what happens in court is not what happens in scientific deliberations.”
Sill said Tuesday that he doesn’t have to prove a definitive link between the two, just a preponderance of evidence that talc usage was a substantial contributing factor to the cancer diagnosis. He also criticized Johnson & Johnson’s use of expert witnesses and industry-sponsored studies to downplay a link.
“The scientific arguments they’ve used in their expert testimony tends to be similar to other mass tort litigations and seem to be trying to poke holes in something without any real evidence to the contrary,” said Sill.
Both Muscat and Sill referenced the difficulty in studying causation. Most studies are surveys or cohort data analyses that look at reported talc use. Muscat said that, unlike other diseases caused by exposure to a product or chemical, there has been inconsistency with ovarian cancer patients and the amount they reported using.
“In several studies where there’s increased risk, the highest risk is actually at the lowest dose,” he said.
Tara Tabatabaie, a biochemist and attorney working for Sill, said dose response is one criteria.
“It would be nice to be able to show that, but that’s not the determinative factor to determine if something is actually a cause,” Tabatabaie said. “A lot of times you have to rely on people’s memories.”
The plaintiffs are asking for at least $75,000 each in damages, medical costs, an injunction and disgorgement of profits, plus damages for pain and suffering, anguish disability, court costs, attorney fees and interest. Johnson & Johnson did not directly comment on the lawsuit.
http://journalrecord.com/2016/06/14/talc-troubles-women-claim-powder-contributed-to-ovarian-cancer-law/
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Baby Powder Lawsuits Raise Questions about Talc’s Cancer Risk
Jun 15, 2016 | Ground Report
By Ivan Dimitrijevic
In an overwhelming development in the last few years, thousands of women have filed lawsuits against American Organization Johnson & Johnson. These women have contracted ovarian cancer and they allege that it was the usage of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder that caused the disease.
One of the ladies, Deane Berg, tells her story of acquiring ovarian cancer and how she went on to believe that the main culprit was the Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. At 49, the doctors gave her the news that she was going to die.
An otherwise fit lady, this was obviously a heartbreaking news for her as she considered herself fit and healthy. Trying to find out the reason, she turned to the Internet to take a look at the probable causes of ovarian cancer.
On one of those websites, one particular cause stood out to her: talcum powder. Unlike the other causes that were mentioned on those sites, the use of talcum powder was a cause with which she could relate – she had been using talc for the last 30 years!
Another study, which is a fairly recent one, further substantiates her claim. According to that study, the risk of acquiring ovarian cancer in black women who use talcum powder is 44% more than their counterparts who don’t use it.
While she isn’t the first lady to acquire ovarian cancer, Deane Berg is the first one who moved the court on this issue. One factor that supported her claim was the research carried out in 1971. According to the research, specks of talcum powder were found in the ovaries of the women who had contracted ovarian cancer.
If found out to be true, this claim could give a massive hit to the company, which has reported sales of $17.81billion for the quarter that ended on December 31st, last year. Also, if found guilty, this could be the biggest indictment in the 130-year history of the New Jersey-based company.
In addition to the abovementioned studies, another factor that repudiates the “Not-guilty” stance of J&J is the list of verdicts that have been issued against them this year. Starting from the $55 Million verdict of February, Johnson and Johnson has already been hit with lawsuits well above $100 Million this year.
Another Study was carried out by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The body, which is notorious for its past claims that labeled coffee as a carcinogen, stated that talc is a possible carcinogen if used in the genital area of the female. However, thanks to the previous studies this agency has performed, this study was not held in high regard by the experts.
As expected, Johnson & Johnson have repudiated the aforementioned studies. As per Tara Glasgow, the R&D lead for J&J’s baby products, all the aforementioned studies are flawed.
“We have children ourselves,” said Tara Glasgow, “We would never sell a product we didn’t believe was safe.”
Does Talc really cause cancer?
This is a question that is very difficult to answer. Despite the jury verdicts mentioned above, most of the researchers are ambivalent on this issue.
One of those researchers is Dr. Shelley Tworoger, who is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard. She concurred that while we could be sure in “99% of the cases”, we couldn’t simply give a judgment thattalc causes cancer in all the cases.
Contrary to the popular belief, talc is used in a vast array of products that we use in our daily lives. In addition to being used in cosmetic merchandise like blush, talc is widely used in tablets, sanitary pads, and chewing gum. One thing that raises eyebrows regarding talc is its proximity with Asbestos – a well known carcinogen.
While its physical and chemical properties are different to that of asbestos, the fact that talc is mined in the vicinity of asbestos is a dangerous proposition. As both of them are mined from the same location, the miners have to work really hard to avoid contamination.
In addition, when it gets to the factory, there are a number of tests that ensure that the transported material is talc. Thus, as far as the issue of mining is concerned, it seems very ill-conceived to believe that asbestos is transported/mined along with the talc.
One thing that might hinder the case of Miss Berg is the dearth of empirical studies on this subject. Scientists, both from the past and present, have made observations that link the use of talc to ovarian cancer. However, what they have failed to do is derive a “hard-and-fast” relationship between cancer and talc. In other words, there is no study that shows that talc causes cancer in 100% of cases.
Therefore, while the specks of talc can be found in the ovaries that have developed cancer, there is no technology available that could show these specks as the cause of cancer.
The jury in the case of Miss Berg seemingly looked at this fact while awarding damages to the plaintiff. While Miss Berg won the lawsuit, the absence of any kind of evidence linking talc to ovarian cancer refrained the jury from awarding her any sort of damages.
http://www.groundreport.com/baby-powder-lawsuits-raise-questions-talcs-cancer-risk/
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Reputation Institute: Talc lawsuits not hurting J&J's image with millennials
Jun 14, 2016 | PR Week
By Sean Czarnecki
According to research conducted in the first quarter, the healthcare products company has a sterling image with millennials despite a series of legal judgments against the company.
Despite a rash of bad publicity from high-profile cases over its products using talcum powder, Johnson & Johnson has a thriving reputation among millennials, according to research released recently by the Reputation Institute.
Two class-action lawsuits have resulted in eight-figure penalties against Johnson & Johnson totaling more than $120 million. Other cases are working their way through the courts in several states.
Yet even after Johnson & Johnson lost its first case in late February — the study was conducted in the first quarter — the affect on its reputation has been minimal, said Stephen Hahn-Griffiths, VP and MD of the U.S. and Canada at the Reputation Institute.
Johnson & Johnson ranked number three among millennials, following Samsung and Nike, respectively. Rounding out the top 10 were Intel, Sony, Lego, Walt Disney, Nintendo, Rolex, and Canon.
The online survey collected more than 83,000 individual ratings in the U.S. and 250,000-plus worldwide. The organization said it "decodes" reputation by compartmentalizing it into seven dimensions: products and services, innovation, workplace, governance, citizenship, leadership, and performance.
Most salient in shaping millennials’ views of corporations are products and services, as well as CSR, the study found. Younger millennials (ages 18 to 24) are more likely to support companies than older millennials (ages 25 to 34).
"Johnson & Johnson’s CSR platform engenders a strong emotional connection to its consumers," Hahn-Griffiths explained. "In the court of public opinion, when facing these challenges and reputation crises, they have this emotional buffer that allows them to ride the storm. It also gives them the benefit of the doubt."
In contrast, Chipotle, which was for months hurt by food-borne illness outbreaks, has a reputation that’s in "free fall," according to the survey. Hahn-Griffiths noted the "deep contrast" between Chipotle, a brand with relatively new national prominence, and Johnson & Johnson.
"Companies can use the legacy of their heritage as an emotional crutch to get through crises," he explained. "[And] Chipotle didn’t have that same goodwill. It was their first true moment where they were put to the test and they failed."
Johnson & Johnson has since tried to refute the lawsuits’ claims on its blog, claiming that 30 years of research backs the safety of its products. The portal also features a video statement from its chief medical officer, Dr. Joanne Waldstreicher.
"[Johnson & Johnson’s reputation] would suffer if the company was found culpable of intentional wrongdoing, or if it was discovered [to be] withholding information," Hahn-Griffiths said, adding that it has been transparent and proactive.
http://www.prweek.com/article/1398653/reputation-institute-talc-lawsuits-not-hurting-j-js-image-millennials#keftgdoVZB7WKqf4.99 -
Green cosmetics, a healthy alternative
Jun 14, 2016 | IOL
By Omenshnie Naidoo
Possible links between talc and ovarian cancer have dominated the international cosmetics industry for weeks now, after international pharmaceutical company, Johnson & Johnson came under fire for risks associated with their baby powder and Shower to Shower gel.
Talc, as recent lawsuits suggest, may cause cancer when regularly applied to the genital area, on nappies, sanitary pads or the like.
The cosmetic industry is rocked from time to time by scandals of this nature, causing many to seek alternatives with less associated risk.
This has led to a burgeoning natural products industry.
At least two new “green” cosmetic lines were launched in South Africa recently.
Established in the UK in 1988, Uber Natural Beauty (www.uberbeautysa.co.za) boasts an international footprint with outlets in America, Australia, Europe and Asia.
The all natural range of skin, hair and body products is said to be free from gluten, parabens, sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate and no synthetically-produced preservatives are added.
Uber Natural Beauty is brought into the country by experienced skincare therapist, Karmen Fieldgate, who has more than 26 years’ experience in the industry.
Also new is Vegan skincare brand, Iba (ibacares.com). The product range is the brainchild of sisters, Teli and Grishma Mauli, who started their company, Ecotrail, a manufacturing unit and research lab, in 2012.
The eco-ethical brand which originated in India is halaal certified and includes everything from make-up to soaps, lotions and fragrances.
There are no sulfates, parabens or alcohol, and no animal or animal-derived products such as lanolin, keratin or gelatin.
Instead, the brand contains aloe vera, kulengi, olive oil, henna, rose petals and hibiscus, among other natural ingredients.
Fieldgate says, “When it comes to skincare, consumers need to be savvy.”
“The skin is the body’s largest organ; a sponge for whatever we put on it. Through the application of pro-ducts, we expose our skin, and body, to a large number of ingredients – many of which have not been tested for long-term effects.
“Many of the products we apply consist of ingredients that are toxic, without us even knowing.”
The talc debacle is indeed proof.
If after numerous years of use and global popularity a trusted brand can be linked to cancer and the scientific evidence remains murky; newer products, “natural” or not, are likely to have less research behind them.
It’s worth noting too, that all cosmetics contain chemicals, water for example, is the chemical compound H2O.
Many eco-friendly ranges also venture to tell you what they do not contain, rather than what they do.
Consumers are advised to read labels and do their own research.
Fieldgate, advises against the following ingredients:
Alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates the skin and strips its protective barrier. It causes irritation, dryness and free-radical damage, but most importantly, it destroys the very substances that keep the skin healthy.
Parabens
Parabens are used as a preservative and can be found in products used externally – such as body products – as well as internally, such as pharmaceuticals.
Parabens imitate oestrogen and are suspected of being endocrine disruptors, which potentially cause reproductive disorders.
It is further suspected to cause lower sperm count in men and even though it can’t be confirmed, is also said to cause breast cancer.
Synthetic fragrances
These are found in most fragranced products, such as perfume, aftershave, shower gel and scented body lotion. These fragrances are made up of a large number of chemicals and potentially harmful ingredients and cause irritation and in some cases, eczema.
It may also cause asthma, allergic rashes and headaches. The best alternative to synthetic oils are essential oils, a plant oil which gives herbs and flowers their fragrance.
Mineral oil
The three main sources of mineral oils are crude rock oil, which is drilled from the ground; fish discards such as the guts; and rancid plant oil.
Not exactly what you wish to put on your face. Mineral oil sits on the skin and forms a layer that causes blocked pores, which leads to blackheads, spots and acne.
It doesn’t allow the skin to breathe and prevents the elimination of toxins through the skin.
Mineral oils are found in lipsticks, baby oils and face and body lotions.
Sodium Lauryl and Sodium Laureth Sulfate
These are artificial foaming ingredients which are found in products such as shampoo, toothpaste, bubble bath, washing powder and soap.
It causes skin irritation, is toxic to internal organs and can cause reproductive problems.
A big concern is that the human body isn’t designed to get rid of these toxins once absorbed.
For this reason it remains in the tissues for a long period.
Triclosan
Triclosan is a synthetic anti-bacterial ingredient and has a chemical structure similar to Agent Orange, which was used in the Vietnam War and still has side-effects today.
It is a hormone disruptor which poses long-term chronic health risks interfering with the performance of hormones. When stored in body fat, the toxic levels accumulate and affect the liver, kidneys and lungs.
In some cases, it can cause paralysis and brain haemorrhages.
The use of triclosan in popular products such as toothpaste and household products may have massive negative implications in the future.
http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/lifestyle/green-cosmetics-a-healthy-alternative-2034652
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