Understanding the ongoing risks of talc-related exposure

Written by Ceri Clark, Associate in our Asbestos litigation team.

Global Asbestos Awareness Week runs annually on the first week of April each year. This week is a powerful reminder that asbestos remains a global health crisis, continuing to cause unimaginable pain to its victims and their families. Despite increased regulation, the legacy of asbestos exposure still haunts many of those diagnosed with asbestos-related conditions such as mesothelioma.

Understanding the long-term danger of asbestos exposure

Asbestos-related diseases often take decades to develop. The latency period between initial exposure and illness can range from 10 years to over 50 years, making it difficult for individuals to link their condition to a specific exposure. This delay adds an extra layer of complexity to claims and underlines the importance of raising awareness and strengthening international partnerships to protect public health.

Asbestos in talc products – What products are affected?

A significant focus in recent years has been the link between asbestos exposure and contaminated talc products. Talc and asbestos are naturally occurring minerals that are often found in close proximity in the earth. As a result, when talc is mined, it can be contaminated with asbestos fibres if not properly tested and refined.

This contamination has affected a wide range of consumer products, including:

• Baby powders (such as Johnson & Johnson)
• Cosmetic products from brands like Chanel and Coty
• Talc-based foot powders and body powders
• Talc used in industrial applications

Alarmingly, some of these contaminated products have continued to be sold and used globally, even in the UK, long after the dangers of asbestos were well known.
What has the UK done about asbestos exposure?

The UK has taken steps to address asbestos exposure, with a full ban on the importation and use of all types of asbestos implemented in 1999. However, despite this, there has been no requirement to proactively remove existing asbestos from buildings, meaning the material still lingers in many homes, schools, hospitals, and workplaces.

When it comes to talc, there is currently no ban in the UK specifically targeting asbestos-contaminated talc products, despite mounting evidence linking such exposure to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. This legal gap allows some unsafe products to remain on the market, putting consumers at continued risk.

Talc-related asbestos exposure

We work closely with our US counterparts to help UK clients pursue justice when they’ve been negligently exposed to asbestos through contaminated talc. Our collaboration ensures that victims, especially those diagnosed with mesothelioma, have access to compensation pathways, even where exposure occurred decades ago.

You do not need receipts or physical proof of purchase to bring a claim. Instead, evidence is gathered through detailed depositions about your product use, which helps build a strong case on your behalf.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any asbestos-related condition, we understand the emotional and physical toll it can take. Our specialist team of asbestos solicitors is here to help guide you through your legal options. We have decades of experience supporting clients across the UK, and we are committed to fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve.

This Global Asbestos Awareness Week, we urge all those affected to seek support and raise their voices. Until asbestos is banned globally and safely removed from all buildings in the UK the risk will remain, and lives will continue to be lost.