Archive · 11 Jun 2025
J&J's Talc: Asbestos Concerns, Prison Tests Revealed
Back in the 1970s, the FDA looked into whether Johnson & Johnson's baby powder had asbestos in it, a dangerous substance.
Tests showed that some batches did.
J&J tried to downplay the problem, saying it was impossible to get rid of all the asbestos and that small amounts weren't dangerous.
They even hired a professor to inject talc into prisoners to see what would happen.
J&J altered a report that showed asbestos in its products.
This sparked controversy about the safety of talc and the company's actions to protect its reputation.
FDA investigated asbestos contamination in J&J's talcum powder products in the 1970s.
Tests revealed asbestos contamination in some samples of J&J's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower.
J&J scientists argued removing all asbestos was impossible and small amounts weren't harmful.
The company hired a professor to test the effects of talc injections on prisoners.
J&J altered a report to hide tremolite findings in its talcum powder.
- Who
- Johnson & Johnson, FDA, scientists, and prisoners.
- What
- Investigation into asbestos contamination in Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder and its testing on prisoners.
- When
- 1970s
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To understand the extent of asbestos contamination in talcum powder products.
Public Health Officials and Critics
Johnson & Johnson
Asbestos Presence in Talc
Public Health Officials and Critics
Reported high levels of asbestos contamination in talcum powder.
Johnson & Johnson
Claimed the absence or only trace amounts of asbestos in its products.
Safety of Talc
Public Health Officials and Critics
Talc was unsafe because of the asbestos
Johnson & Johnson
Argued small amounts of asbestos don't pose a health risk.
- Products Involved
- J&J Baby Powder, Shower to Shower
- Testing Method
- Electron Microscopy, Injection
- Key Scientists
- Seymour Z Lewin, Albert M Kligman, Fred D. Pooley
- Contaminant Found
- Asbestos (Chrysotile, Tremolite)
- Prisoner Experiments
- Conducted on African American prisoners