Scottish women sue Johnson & Johnson over cancer-causing talcum powder claims

A group of Scottish women have launched a lawsuit against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) over claims that it sold talcum powder contaminated with asbestos.

The women believe the firm knew about the dangers of the carcinogen within the product for decades, and that they, or loved ones, developed cancer after prolonged use of the powder.

Thousands of people in England and Wales are taking the company to court for allegedly suppressing information regarding the contamination; however, this is the first contaminated-talc legal action to be raised in the Scottish court.

Lawyers from Lefevres, who are representing the Scottish claimants, described the case as an “international scandal”.

They refer to a memo from the 1960s, which shows that J&J sought advice from various scientists regarding the safety of tremolite, a type of asbestos, within products.

Helene Rose was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer. Supplied

The memo advised that the use of tremolite should be minimised and that the safety of talc for babies could no longer be guaranteed.

Helene Rose from Aberdeen is part of the group taking legal action against the firm.

The 67-year-old was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer in 2024 after using the company’s talcum powder for decades.

Helene believes that she doesn’t “have any other reason for having this disease” after testing negative for genetic markers.

She said: “One would assume that Johnson & Johnson, being associated with baby powder, would be trustworthy and have integrity.

“You would expect their powder to be safe and pure enough for babies. I think it is terrible, what they have done, in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of the powder and the extent to which they have gone to cover up the evidence of their wrongdoing.

“Companies should know that they can’t get away with doing this kind of thing and should be held accountable for ruining people’s lives.”

Former Glasgow City Council manager Linda Smyth was forced to give up her job after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

The 63-year-old used talcum powder daily as a child and continued to use it during her teenage years. She believes somebody needs to be “held accountable”.

Linda said: “I’m not on a mission to take down Johnson & Johnson.

“I just think something has to be done. Somebody needs to be held accountable, somebody needs to say, ‘yes we did that, and we’re really sorry.'”

The sale of baby powder containing talc in the UK was stopped in 2023.

J&J has also faced legal action in the US, which has resulted in significant damages being paid out by the company.

Last December Baltimore woman Cherie Craft was awarded $1.5bn in damages after she developed mesothelioma after a lifetime of using J&J talc products.

J&J has been contacted for comment.