The substance that is at the center of these lawsuits is something called talc. Researchers started raising concerns decades ago, some of them in the 1950s. There are a few theories of how talc might lead to cancer. Johnson and Johnson has always been adamant that its baby powder is asbestos free.
Thousands of people say Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder gave them cancer. They’re suing — but the consumer giant is using a bankruptcy strategy called the “Texas two-step” to limit its liability.
This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Noel King.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
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