Because Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers about potential talc dangers, thousands of women developed ovarian cancer. As a result, women are filing talcum powder lawsuits against the pharmaceutical giant. For the safest option, choose powders made with a talc-free formula for both you and your baby’s safety. The items on our list can provide all the benefits of traditional talcum powder products, but without the same risks. After studies emphasized talc’s associated dangers, Johnson & Johnson finally produced its own baby powder without talc. Of course, the company’s cornstarch-based products could be tainted with talc at the factory level. For this reason, use any J&J’s baby and body powder products with caution. What You Can Do Researchers published the first study linking talcum powder to ovarian cancer in the early 1970s. A subsequent 1982 study headed by Harvard professor Dr. Daniel Cramer examined genital talcum powder use and ovarian cancer. Dr. Cramer’s study compared 215 women with ovarian cancer against a control group of 215 healthy subjects. The study concluded that women who used talcum powder had nearly twice the risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to non-users. Worse, those who sprinkled it on their genitals and sanitary pads had more than three times the relative cancer risk.