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OVER $2.5 BILLION

OBTAINED FOR MESOTHELIOMA PATIENTS & FAMILIES
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Colgate-Palmolive History of Reckless Indifference

1914Asbestos confirmed in talc Murphy Marble Belt where the Regal mine in North Carolina where Colgate will eventually source cosmetic talcum powder.
1930s -1995Colgate-Palmolive manufactures and sells Cashmere Bouquet Talcum Powder without warning label.
1937Colgate begins purchasing asbestos-containing talc from Charles Mathieu Company (1937-1968), who imports from mines in Val Chisone, Italy, Regal, North Carolina (1968-1970), and the Willow Creek Mine in Montana.
1938Link between asbestosis and asbestos exposure is firmly established in medical literature
1942Medical literature reports amphibole and serpentine asbestos in cosmetic talc; asbestos known to cause asbestosis.
1948Tremolite asbestos in the talc formation of the Murphy Marble Belt confirmed. Tremolite crystals reportedly up to 20 inches long.
1950Link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma established in medical literature.
1966Tremolite asbestos confirmed in Val Chisone, Italy mine.
1968-70Colgate begins using talc from the Regal Mine in North Carolina.
1968Johns-Manville Corporation tested Cashmere Bouquet and discovers presence of tremolite asbestos.
1970Colgate begins wondering whether to inspect its talc for presence of asbestos fibers.
1971Colgate begins inspecting Cashmere Bouquet talc for asbestos and confirms same. Finds asbestos in talc from North Carolina, Montana and Italy mines.
1972Professor Seymour Lewin, chemist at New York University tested 102 products for asbestos, including Cashmere Bouquet. He found 2% chrysotile asbestos in Cashmere Bouquet.
1974Colgate hires McCrone Associates to test its cosmetic talc. From 1974 to 1984, McCrone reports positive findings of asbestos in samples of Cashmere Bouquet.
1976Assoc. Professor Arthur Langer finds 20% asbestos in Cashmere Bouquet. Dr. Langer reports “disgusted” at indifference of cosmetic talc industry. Findings reported in the New York Times.
1976Washington Post: “ Asbestos Fibers Found in Baby Powder.” Article reports that highest concentration of asbestos in Cashmere Bouquet.
1976New York Times: “ Asbestos Found in Ten Powders.” Article reports ten out of 19 body and baby powders tested were contaminated with asbestos fibers. Cashmere Bouquet Body Talc ranged from 8 percent to 20 percent asbestos fibers.
1976

Colgate performs their own tests, confirming the presence of anthophyllite, tremolite and “other amphiboles” its Cashmere Bouquet but decides “no reason” to warn customers.

For every single test finding asbestos or indication of asbestos in Cashmere Bouquet, Colgate’s scientists admit they never informed the FDA of their findings.
Colgate never puts a warning on Cashmere Bouquet.
Variations of Cashmere Bouquet continue to be advertised on Colgate Palmolive’s website.
2015LA County Jury Finds Colgate's Cashmere Bouquet unreasonably dangerous, awards Judy Winkel $13 Million - Judith Winkel and John Winkel, Plaintiffs, vs. Calaveras Asbestos Ltd., et al., Defendants, LASC No. BC549253. The jury also finds that Colgate acted with malice and oppression.

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Jury Finds Colgate-Palmolive Talcum Powder Causes Mesothelioma, Awards $13 Million (4/29/15)

Los Angeles County, CA

A jury in Los Angeles County (Chatsworth) yesterday on April 28, 2015 unanimously found that Colgate-Palmolive’s Cashmere Bouquet talcum powder, which they sold from the 1930s to 1995, caused our client Judith Winkel’s malignant pleural mesothelioma. More...