The first jury trial in California over links between Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products and ovarian cancer continued in late July in a Los Angeles Superior Court with the cross-examination of a toxicology expert testifying that talc causes ovarian cancer. J&J questioned whether Laura Plunkett, a toxicologist and pharmacologist called to the stand by plaintiff Eva Echeverria, incorrectly interpreted scientific evidence to support her claim about talc’s toxicity.
Plunkett testified on Thursday that, according to her training, experience, and interpretation of relevant literature, the regular use of talc on a woman’s genital area causes ovarian cancer. Plunkett also spoke of additional health problems related to talc use, including toxicity buildup.
The plaintiff alleges that not only did J&J’s talc products cause her ovarian cancer but that J&J knew about the carcinogenic effects of talc for years without warning consumers.