A prominent panty liner brand is facing serious allegations of exposing numerous women to a carcinogenic chemical. The lawsuit suggests that users have experienced severe health issues, ranging from yeast infections to more critical conditions like liver disease.
The brand, Carefree, which was once owned by Johnson & Johnson and is now under Essity, is reportedly found to contain PFOA, a known carcinogen, as stated in legal documents filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, is categorized as a synthetic “forever chemical” and is part of a broader group known as PFAS, which are known to stay in the environment and human body for an extended period.
Studies have suggested a connection between PFOA exposure and an increased likelihood of developing specific cancers, particularly kidney and testicular cancer, along with various other serious health concerns.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit assert they frequently used Carefree panty liners, which kept constant contact with sensitive areas, such as the vulvar and perineal tissue. The suit claims that this tissue is highly vascular and permeable, implying that anything absorbed could directly enter the bloodstream.
Some women reported wearing the liners for more than 10 hours at a stretch, leading to claims of exposure to the harmful chemical hundreds, or even thousands, of times over years of use.
Health effects cited by the women include cancers such as breast, ovarian, and kidney cancer, as well as thyroid disease, chronic inflammation, infections, elevated cholesterol, and immune system disorders. Others have expressed concerns over reduced fertility or even infertility, with the lawsuit highlighting that the women now harbor anxiety about the potential for developing cancer due to this exposure.
The legal documents outline that each plaintiff has endured physical, mental, and emotional distress, grappling with anxiety over their health and a diminished quality of life.
Furthermore, the lawsuit accuses the manufacturers of knowingly hiding the possible contamination risks while possessing affordable testing methods that could have identified the chemical. There were purportedly no disclosures regarding PFOA on any labels, ingredient lists, or in marketing communications directed at consumers.
According to allegations, the manufacturers were made aware, as early as February 6, 2024, of PFOA being detected in Carefree liners but continued selling these products, even after California implemented restrictions concerning PFAS in particular textiles.
The lawsuit also names Gelson’s, a luxury grocery chain based in Los Angeles, alleging their involvement in selling the products. The plaintiffs are pursuing punitive damages in an amount deemed necessary to hold the manufacturers accountable, as indicated in the complaint.
Efforts to obtain comments from Johnson & Johnson, Essity, and Gelson’s regarding the lawsuit have been made.
