New Mothers Must Decide Between Talcum Powder And Cornstarch When Caring For Their Baby
Talcum powder health risks may outweigh any benefits it may afford over using cornstarch powder
Thursday, January 5, 2023 - Millions of new mothers every year must make a life-or-death decision about the health of their newborn babies. Back in May 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested bottles of Johnson's Baby Powder for the presence of asbestos, a deadly carcinogen that has been proven to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. This led to thousands of talcum powder lawsuits. Consumer demand for the iconic baby powder fell sharply when the FDA's findings of asbestos were made public forcing the company to discontinue selling the product in all of North America, its most lucrative market. Johnson & Johnson refuted the findings and continued to insist that Johnson's Baby Powder made of talc was safe, pure, and asbestos-free. Nonetheless, mothers who were aware of the potential for asbestos to lurk in bottles of Johnson's Baby Powder as a Reuters investigative report claimed, chose in mass to err on the side of safety and switch to baby powders that contain cornstarch, a carbohydrate derivative of corn known for having much the same features as talc. Mothers rely on baby powder because it helps alleviate a baby's discomfort (crying) by reducing chafing and irritation caused by diaper rash. Cornstarch powder also helps absorb moisture and control odor, but not as effectively as talc. From a health standpoint, cornstarch produces less of a vapor cloud than talc and is less likely to be inhaled. In addition to the FDA's talc asbestos findings, more than a dozen talcum powder cancer lawsuits were settled for billions of dollars for plaintiffs who alleged that using Johnson's Baby Powder on the genital area eventually led to having to contact a talcum powder lawyer, not exactly the outcome caring, young mothers had in mind when they initially put their trust in the Johnson & Johnson brand.
Young mothers in general prefer to use cornstarch baby powder over talc if they are fully informed of the facts. However, while cornstarch may be safer, it does not prevent diaper rash as effectively as talcum powder. One young mother reports, "I've tried cornstarch-based powders before, but they just don't seem to work as well at keeping my baby's skin dry. I've had to switch back to talc-based powder to get the same level of protection." Some mothers have switched back to talcum powder, risks and all, after trying cornstarch baby powder for a time. One consumer said, "Cornstarch-based powders are just too gritty for my liking. I prefer the smooth, silky feel of talc-based powders," according to an online retailer's customer product reviews. For the record, it seems to be irresponsible to choose talc over cornstarch for diapering a baby since scientific experts agree that there is no safe level of ingesting asbestos and that even one microscopic particle of the deadly mineral can lead to lung disease. Choosing between talc and cornstarch is a difficult decision. There is no more irritating and concerning sound than a baby that is constantly in pain and crying from diaper rash. Diaper rash skin cream may offer an acceptable solution.
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