How Did Imerys Talc Expose People to Asbestos?
Imerys is a global mining company that produces talc and other specialty minerals. For decades, Imerys supplied talc to major consumer and industrial companies in the United States and around the world.
Imerys mined talc from areas where asbestos naturally occurs. During mining and processing, asbestos fibers could mix into the talc. When used as a loose powder, contaminated talc can release fibers into the air that may be breathed in.
“Talc that has asbestos is generally accepted as being able to cause cancer if it is inhaled.”
– American Cancer Society
Imerys became the focus of thousands of lawsuits after people claimed its talc was contaminated with asbestos and caused cancers like mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.
Key Facts About Imerys Talc & Asbestos Exposure
- The company mined talc from regions where asbestos can naturally occur.
- Imerys asbestos lawsuits claim the company’s talc was contaminated.
- Consumers and workers may have been exposed for long periods.
- Imerys allegedly did not provide clear warnings about asbestos risks.
You may be able to file an Imerys talc lawsuit if you developed mesothelioma after asbestos exposure linked to talc products. A Free Case Review with our legal partners at Simmons Hanly Conroy can help you learn if you qualify for compensation.
Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review
Talc Products Connected to Imerys
Imerys supplied talc to major consumer brands across North America. This talc was used in various products that people applied regularly. The products below have been named in lawsuits because they may have contained talc supplied by Imerys during specific time periods.
Johnson & Johnson Products
Johnson & Johnson was Imerys’s largest customer for many years. Lawsuits allege Imerys supplied talc used in popular baby powder and body powders sold across the United States.
Products named in lawsuits include:
- Johnson’s® Baby Powder
- Johnson’s® Baby Powder (Original Formula)
- Johnson’s® Baby Powder with Aloe & Vitamin E
- Shower to Shower® (produced by Johnson & Johnson until 2012)
These products were frequently cited in mesothelioma claims because they were commonly applied as loose powders, which can release particles into the air that may be breathed in or swallowed.
Avon® Products
Imerys also supplied cosmetic talc to Avon® for many years. Several Avon body and dusting powders were later named in lawsuits involving possible asbestos exposure.
Products mentioned in legal claims include:
- Avon Bird of Paradise Perfumed Dusting Powder
- Avon Charisma Dusting Powder
- Avon Imari Dusting Powder
- Avon Night Magic Dusting Powder
- Avon Odyssey Dusting Powder
- Avon Skin-So-Soft Soft & Sensual Body Powder
- Avon Timeless Dusting Powder
- Avon Unforgettable Dusting Powder
These Avon products have been included in Imerys lawsuit claims because they were often applied directly to the skin, allowing talc dust to potentially be breathed in or spread through enclosed spaces.
Other Imerys Cosmetic Brands Named in Talc Lawsuits
In addition to Johnson & Johnson and Avon, lawsuits also name other cosmetic and personal care products that may have used talc from Imerys or its predecessor mining operations.
Examples include:
- Cashmere Bouquet® Talcum Powder (Colgate-Palmolive)
- Clinique® pressed and loose face powders
- Coty Airspun® Loose Face Powder
- Estée Lauder® powder compacts
- L’Oréal® talc-based powders
- Revlon® pressed powders and blushes
- Shower to Shower® Absorbent Body Powder
- Shower to Shower® Morning Fresh
- Shower to Shower® Sport Fresh
(Note: Companies may have used multiple talc suppliers over different years.)
If you or someone in your family used any of these products in the past and later developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, our team can help you understand your potential exposure and options for financial compensation.
Who Is Eligible to File an Imerys Lawsuit Claim?
Whether you can file an Imerys claim depends on two main things: your diagnosis and how you were exposed. Both patients and family members may qualify, even if the exposure happened many years ago.
You may be eligible to file a claim if you or your loved one:
- Were diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease
- Used talcum powder or other talc-based products
- Worked at Imerys mines, mills, or processing facilities
- Had secondhand exposure, such as asbestos dust brought home on a family member’s work clothes
We can connect you with mesothelioma attorneys to review your history, explain which claims may fit, and help you take the next step. Get started right now with a free case review.
Imerys Jobs That May Have Been at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Workers who handled raw talc, including those who worked in mining and milling operations owned by Imerys Minerals or its earlier companies, may have been exposed to asbestos. Some lawsuits also allege potential exposure to Imerys wollastonite asbestos, depending on the specific facility, job duties, and time period.
Occupations potentially at risk of asbestos exposure include:
- Equipment operators
- Maintenance workers
- Mill workers
- Processing plant employees
- Quality-control workers
- Supervisors in mining or milling facilities
- Talc miners
- Truck drivers transporting bulk talc
- Workers previously employed by Cyprus Mines before Imerys acquired its assets
These workers may have inhaled airborne asbestos fibers while handling talc ore, processing it into finished powder, or cleaning equipment covered in talc dust. People who lived with these workers may also have had secondhand exposure from asbestos dust carried home on clothing.
Imerys Mesothelioma Lawsuits and Jury Verdicts
Several Imerys-related mesothelioma lawsuits went to trial, where juries heard evidence about asbestos contamination and exposure linked to Imerys talc.
One major case involved Richard Booker, who worked at paint factories where talc supplied by Imerys was used. He later developed mesothelioma and died from the disease.
- In 2017, a jury awarded $22 million to the Booker family.
- The verdict found that asbestos in Imerys-supplied talc played a role in his illness.
In another widely reported case, Stephen Lanzo III developed mesothelioma after using talcum powder for many years. In 2018, a New Jersey jury found that asbestos-contaminated talc caused his illness and awarded $117 million in damages. Johnson & Johnson and Imerys were held responsible for the exposure.
Imerys Ovarian Cancer Settlements
Imerys was also named in lawsuits filed by women who developed ovarian cancer after long-term use of talcum powder.
In 2018, Imerys agreed to a $5 million settlement involving 22 women who said Johnson’s baby powder made with Imerys talc contributed to their cancer.
Although the company did not admit wrongdoing, the Imerys settlement resolved the claims without a trial and added to the company’s growing legal pressure.
Imerys’s Bankruptcy Filing and What It Means for Asbestos Victims
By 2019, Imerys faced thousands of asbestos and talc lawsuits. Defending each case in court would have taken years and cost millions of dollars, so it filed for bankruptcy. Imerys Talc’s Chapter 11 filing allowed the company to pause lawsuits and to create a single system for handling current and future claims.
As part of the bankruptcy, Imerys proposed creating an asbestos trust fund with about $1.45 billion to compensate people diagnosed with mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases linked to Imerys talc.
For many families, a trust fund can offer a faster and less stressful way to receive compensation, often within 90 days or less. Because many people were exposed to asbestos through more than one product or company, they may be able to file multiple trust fund claims.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we can determine which trust funds you may be able to file claims with. Check if you qualify now.
How to File an Imerys Talc Claim
If you used talc-based products for many years and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be able to seek compensation. The first step is to speak with a mesothelioma lawyer to discuss your health history, work history, and product use to determine which claims may apply to you.
Depending on your situation, you may qualify for:
- A future Imerys asbestos trust fund claim, once the trust is active
- A talcum powder lawsuit that is still allowed under state law
- Settlements involving product manufacturers such as Johnson & Johnson
- Wrongful death compensation if a loved one passed away from an asbestos-related cancer
An attorney can handle the legal process for you, including collecting records, filing paperwork, and meeting all deadlines. This allows you to focus on getting medical care and spending time with your family.
Get Help for Asbestos Exposure From Imerys Talc
If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, or another asbestos-related illness after using talcum powder products linked to Imerys talc, you may be able to seek compensation.
Our partner law firm can determine whether exposure to Imerys talc products may have caused your illness, gather evidence, and file a claim before time runs out. You may be able to seek compensation to cover treatment costs, medical bills, and loss of income.
We can also help by:
- Answering your questions about talc and asbestos lawsuits
- Explaining claims against Imerys, Johnson & Johnson, and other companies
- Determining whether you may qualify for asbestos trust fund payouts
- Walking you through each step of the legal process so you know what to expect
Call (866) 608-8933 now or request a free case review to learn whether you can take action. It’s always free to speak with us, and there’s no obligation to move forward until you’re ready.
Imerys Talc and Asbestos FAQs
What is Imerys talc?
Imerys talc is talc mined and supplied by Imerys Talc America for use in baby powder, cosmetics, and other products. Talc is a natural mineral, but in some areas it is found near asbestos in the ground.
Because asbestos causes mesothelioma and other serious diseases, this has raised concerns. Some testing and lawsuits have claimed that certain Imerys talc may have been contaminated with asbestos. People who used talc products for years or worked around talc dust may have breathed in asbestos fibers without knowing it.
What is the lawsuit against Imerys talc?
The lawsuits against Imerys say that asbestos-contaminated talc caused illnesses such as mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer. Many people say they were never warned that talc could contain asbestos or that breathing in talc dust could be dangerous.
These cases were filed by both consumers and workers. Some people used talc products daily at home, while others handled talc at work. The lawsuits claim companies failed to properly test the talc and protect the public.
To find out whether your asbestos exposure could be linked to Imerys talc, get a free case review with our legal partners at top mesothelioma law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy.
Can I file a talc asbestos claim even though Imerys declared bankruptcy?
Yes. Even though Imerys filed for bankruptcy, people with asbestos-related diseases may still be able to file claims. Bankruptcy does not cancel the harm caused by asbestos exposure.
As part of the bankruptcy process, Imerys has proposed creating an asbestos trust fund. Once the trust is finalized, victims can file claims through the trust instead of suing the company directly. This process is typically faster and less stressful than going to court.
Can I file a lawsuit if I used Johnson & Johnson baby powder, but Imerys supplied the talc?
Yes. Many cases include both Johnson & Johnson and Imerys. Johnson & Johnson made and sold the finished baby powder, while Imerys supplied much of the talc used in it.
Because both companies were part of the supply chain, lawsuits often name both. This is common in mesothelioma cases, where exposure usually involves more than one company.
Call (866) 608-8933 to speak with one of our partner asbestos attorneys about Johnson & Johnson baby powder exposure and your legal options.
Has Imerys created an asbestos trust fund?
Imerys Talc America filed for bankruptcy in 2019 after facing many lawsuits related to asbestos and ovarian cancer. During this process, the company proposed creating an asbestos trust fund to help people who were harmed by asbestos exposure linked to its talc.
In 2024, Imerys proposed funding the trust with about $1.45 billion. Once the trust is fully approved and active, patients and families will be able to file claims for trust fund payouts.
How much compensation can claimants receive from talc asbestos lawsuits?
Compensation amounts vary based on factors like the type of diagnosis, how exposure happened, medical costs, and the strength of the evidence.
Some talc asbestos lawsuits, especially those involving mesothelioma, have resulted in awards over $1 million. Other cases are resolved through settlements or trust fund claims, which usually pay set amounts based on guidelines. An experienced law firm can review your situation and help estimate what your case may be worth.
How long does it take to get an asbestos talc exposure settlement from Imerys?
Most asbestos and talc exposure cases do not go to trial. Instead, they are resolved through settlements or trust fund claims, which are usually faster and less stressful for families. The exact payout timeline depends on the type of claim and how quickly records can be reviewed.
Once the Imerys asbestos trust fund is fully established, many families can expect to begin receiving their first payments within 90 days or less after the claim is approved. A mesothelioma lawyer can help estimate your timeline based on your diagnosis and exposure history.
How We Can Help
