Black Women. Baby Powder. Ovarian Cancer.

Let’s talk about what we know to be true when it comes to talcum powder. 

1 - Talc contains asbestos. Asbestos has been linked to ovarian cancer. Talc is a chemical that is known to be carcinogenic (cancer causing) to humans. 

2 - The American Cancer Society lists talcum powder as a risk for ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest cancer of the female productive system.

3 - Talc triggers an inflammatory response in the body. It travels through the vagina, to the uterus and Fallopian tubes, before it gets to the ovaries. Once the talc has reached the ovaries, it stays there - for years.

4 - Talc is often found in products that feel velvety smooth - like eye shadow and face & body powders. 

5 - Women who have used baby powder were at twice the risk of getting ovarian cancer. 

We have all heard by now (hopefully) the statistic that 75% of personal care products [directly] marketed to Black women contain ingredients that are harmful to their long-term health. 

The most obvious example of that direct harm and lack of concern is Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and shower powder. 

A few things happened in the 1970s.

Pediatricians stopped recommending parents use baby powder due to it having no medical benefit for babies and the growing concern they had for babies inhaling it.

Also in the 1970s, Johnson and Johnson’s talcum powder tested positive for small amounts of asbestos. Despite gaining this insight, they did not share this information with the FDA or consumers. 

Then in the 1990s internal documents show that the sales for Johnson and Johnson’s baby powder was declining. Projections showed that if they targeted Black women, they could boost sales.

It’s an act of violence to be utilizing racism to capitalize on Black women, who have historically been taught that smelling good is directly attached to their worth and value in this world. 

So what did they do? They shifted their marketing strategy.

In 2006, the WHO (World Health Organization) made a statement that using talcum powder in the genital area is possibly carcinogenic. 

So what did Johnson & Johnson do when this news caused another dip in sales? They boosted their efforts to market to Black women (again).They went so far as to plan to hand out free samples of baby powder at Black churches and beauty salons! 

It wasn’t until 2019 that Johnson and Johnson did their first recall. 

This situation highlights exactly why it is dangerous - especially to Black women - for an entire industry to regulate themselves.

The only time the FDA can test a product is if they have concerns over its safety — this happens to less than one percent of products.

It’s time for better legislation to be passed. In fact, we could say that we are 80 years too late.

Reach out to your congressman and let them know you would like them to support the Safer Beauty Bill Package.

We have the power to demand change.

Use your voice.