Canada’s environment ministry, Environment Canada, has published a warning on dangers it says are associated with using talcum powder. The talc-containing powder can cause ovarian cancer if used on genital and if inhaled can cause respiratory problems such as fibrosis, according to a recently released draft assessment

A draft paper published by the ministry looked at baby, body, face and foot talc powders and concluded that inhaling talcum powder can be dangerous and should be avoided. According to Environment Canada, recent studies "have consistently reported a positive association with ovarian cancer and perineal talc exposure.”

The ministry cited 29 studies on the connection between ovarian cancer and baby powder – including one by the IARC committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) –  and noted that 21 of them found a "possible, or positive" relationship.

Since 1999, the American Cancer Society has recommended that, instead of using talc-based baby powder in their genital area, women should choose cornstarch-based baby powder instead.

The Canadian announcements comes as the string of US lawsuits brought against Johnson & Johnson continues. The drugmaker has won some, but lost more – at least in the first instance – of the legal challenges from women who blame their ovarian cancer on using the company’s baby powder as a feminine hygiene product.

In July of this year, 22 women were awarded $4.7 billion as the courts found that talcum powder infected with asbestos caused their ovarian cancer. Other cases are pending or on appeal.

According to an October regulatory filing, J&J currently faces 11,700 US talc lawsuits, More than 9,700 are said to involve claims over ovarian cancer.