US Talc Lawsuits and Birth‑Control Risks Highlight Women's Product Safety

US courts have continued to hear large lawsuits over talc‑containing baby powder, alleging that asbestos contamination caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. A California jury awarded $966 million to a woman diagnosed with mesothelioma, and the company involved set aside roughly $9 billion to cover liability. The lawsuits prompted the removal of talc baby‑powder products from the US and Canadian markets in 2020, and litigation remains active, with courts receptive to claims involving asbestos‑linked cancers.

At the same time, health researchers point to hidden tumor risks associated with injectable contraceptives, a method used by about 25 % of women ages 15‑49 in the United States. Studies have linked long‑term, high‑dose use of these injections to an increased incidence of meningiomas, a type of brain and spinal‑cord tumor. The findings have fueled calls for stronger safety standards, greater transparency, and increased accountability from manufacturers targeting women, especially low‑income and minority groups.