Mesothelioma.com - Helping Mesothelioma Patients Since 1996 call

Block Drug Company & Asbestos Exposure

Tara Strand
Author: Tara Strand
Jennifer Lucarelli
Last Updated: 6/30/2026

Block Drug Company once sold products that allegedly contained asbestos-contaminated talc. Employees and consumers who made or used these products were put at risk of exposure, which may cause mesothelioma. Because of its ties to asbestos, Block Drug has appeared in mesothelioma lawsuits.

Request a Free 2026 Asbestos and Mesothelioma Guide

Block Drug Company logo

Asbestos Exposure at Block Drug Company

Block Drug Company may have exposed its employees and consumers to asbestos through contaminated talc. As workers processed the talc, they may have inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers. Consumers may have been exposed from using the company’s talc products. Block Drug’s most well-known brand affected by contaminated talc was Gold Bond Medicated Powder. The company owned the rights to this brand between 1987 and 1990.

Block Drug Company Quick Facts
  • Block Drug began as a drugstore in Brooklyn, New York, in 1907. It soon pivoted to drug manufacturing with an emphasis on dental health products.

  • Block Drug has been named in mesothelioma lawsuits along with other talc companies, like Johnson & Johnson.

  • GlaxoSmithKline acquired Block Drug Company in 2001 for $1.24 billion and integrated it into its consumer healthcare business. This action ended the company’s independent operations.

  • Block Drug owned the rights to the Gold Bond brand for several years. Through a series of acquisitions, Sanofi-Aventis acquired the Gold Bond brand in 2010. The company began phasing talc out of its products in 2020.

Gold Bond has been named in multiple asbestos lawsuits. People have claimed that product use led them to developing mesothelioma. In at least one case, a jury found Gold Bond and other talc product manufacturers liable in a mesothelioma lawsuit claiming asbestos exposure.

Even though Block Drug no longer exists as a separate company, people who suspect they were exposed to asbestos through Block Drug products may still have legal options. You can speak with an asbestos attorney to learn about your legal rights.

High-Risk Occupations at Block Drug Company

Consumers may have been exposed to asbestos through Block Drug talc products. These same products were also owned and sold by different manufacturers at other times. Workers may have experienced exposure from mining, manufacturing, packaging and other activities. At-risk occupations include:

  • Athletes
  • Babysitters
  • Certified nurse assistants
  • Childcare workers
  • Elder care workers
  • Excavators
  • Factory workers
  • Home health aides
  • Hospice providers
  • Miners
  • Nurses
  • Powder manufacturers

Family members of anyone who handled these products may also face secondary asbestos exposure risks. This type of exposure happens when someone handles the worker’s contaminated clothing that carries talc dust. Anyone exposed to asbestos is at risk of developing mesothelioma or other diseases.

Asbestos Products Manufactured at Block Drug Company

Lawsuits involving Block Drug have most often cited Gold Bond powder products, with one case tracing alleged exposure back to approximately 1973. With the Gold Bond powder products, Block Drug also acquired two other brands. Both the Keep It In Your Sneaker and Decub-U-Care product lines used talc and may have also posed a risk of exposure. A mesothelioma attorney can help identify potential sources of exposure.

Have A Question About Asbestos Exposure and Block Drug Company? Ask experienced mesothelioma advocate Jennifer Lucarelli Ask a Question

Compensation for Block Drug Company Workers & Consumers With Mesothelioma

Block Drug employees and consumers who develop mesothelioma after asbestos exposure may have legal options. They may qualify to file asbestos lawsuits or other claims. Any compensation awarded from these claims can help cover medical bills, lost wages and other costs.

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, an experienced asbestos lawyer can help you understand your options. Attorneys at mesothelioma law firms will handle the entire legal process, making the process as easy as possible for you.

Asbestos Lawsuits

Block Drug has been named in lawsuits claiming that asbestos exposure from its products caused mesothelioma. These cases often include several companies, such as consumer goods manufacturers, mining businesses and talc processing facilities.

Lawsuits naming Block Drug have specifically cited Gold Bond Medicated Powder as a source of alleged asbestos exposure. Notable lawsuits involving Block Drug include:

  • 2025: A man and woman filed a lawsuit in Illinois claiming the woman developed mesothelioma after using talc products. Block Drug was listed among the companies believed responsible. The case was moved to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
  • 2024: Attorneys filed a lawsuit in Maryland on behalf of a woman who developed malignant mesothelioma. She claimed her cancer was caused by using products with contaminated talc from 1971 to 2024, the year she was diagnosed.
  • 2022: A woman and her husband filed a lawsuit in South Carolina against multiple cosmetic companies after the woman developed mesothelioma. The complaint noted she used talc-based products from birth in 1986 to 2021. The court awarded her $29.14 million.

Publicly available records do not clearly show whether Block Drug remained a defendant through trial, settled, was dismissed or was otherwise removed from these cases.

Common Questions About Asbestos Exposure at Block Drug Company

When did people start worrying about asbestos in talc?
Public concern about asbestos in cosmetic talc increased in the 1970s. A 1976 study confirmed the mineral in some talc-based consumer products. Court records show people have alleged exposure from Gold Bond as early as 1973, with one case noting use between 1984 and 2007.
What other talc-containing products did Block Drug Company make?
Block Drug acquired rights to other powder products, which may have also contained asbestos-contaminated talc. These products included Keep It In Your Sneaker shoe deodorizer and Decub-U-Care, both acquired with Gold Bond. While public records do not confirm asbestos in these products, an asbestos attorney has additional resources they can use to research them.
Can I file a lawsuit if I developed mesothelioma after using Block Drug Company products?
You may have legal options if you have a mesothelioma diagnosis. A mesothelioma attorney can review your case to determine if a lawsuit or other legal option is available. It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a diagnosis to meet specific filing windows.
What health risks are associated with Block Drug Company asbestos exposure?
People exposed to asbestos through the use or manufacturing of Block Drug’s products may develop a related disease. These illnesses may include mesothelioma, asbestosis and other types of cancer. It is important to note that no amount of asbestos exposure is considered safe.
Sources
  1. LexisNexis - Stephen Anderson, et al. v. BorgWarner Morse Tec Inc., et al; 2/5/2026

  2. Company-Histories.com - Block Drug Company, Inc.; 1/1/2026

  3. Circuit Court for Baltimore City - CHERIE CRAFT V. AHOLD DELHAIZE USA, INC. CASE NO. 24-X-24-000005; 12/22/2025

  4. govinfo.gov - LINDA A. STANGE and ARLEN R. STANGE v. BLOCK DRUG COMPANY INC, COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY, COTY, INC., DANA CLASSIC FRAGRANCES, INC., GOLD BOND CO., LLC, MARTIN HIMMEL, INC., PFIZER, INC., and WALGREENS CO.,; 10/10/2025

  5. business.cch.com - SARAH J. PLANT and PARKER PLANT Plaintiffs, v. AVON PRODUCTS, INC. et al; 4/11/2022

  6. Encyclopedia.com - Block Drug Company, Inc.; 5/18/2018

Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma Patients

Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma Patients
Your Free Guide will be delivered to you within 24 hours.

What You Will Learn About

  • Help With Treatment Costs
  • $30 Billion Set Aside
  • Bankruptcy Trust Funds
  • Veteran Specific Help
  • Security for Loved Ones
Get a Free 2026 Financial Help Guide
Tara Strand, Senior Content Writer at Mesothelioma.com
Written by Tara Strand Senior Content Writer
Jennifer Lucarelli
Red shield with white check mark indicating page is fact-checked by a legal expert Legally Reviewed by Jennifer Lucarelli Mesothelioma Lawyer and Legal Advisor