Coty Inc. & Asbestos Exposure
Coty Inc. put employees and consumers at risk of asbestos exposure through contaminated talc products. People who used or manufactured these goods may develop mesothelioma and other cancers. Some asbestos victims have filed lawsuits against Coty. Successful cases may result in compensation.
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Asbestos Exposure at Coty Inc.
Coty was founded in 1904 and began as a perfume manufacturer. By 1912, the Paris-based company had expanded its product line to include face powders and other cosmetics. Over the next few years, the company quickly grew and became a global leader in beauty products by the 1920s.
The risk of asbestos exposure from the company’s products began as early as the mid-1940s. Records indicate that for decades, the company used talc from Italy’s Val Chisone mine. This source was later linked to significant health risks in mortality studies of its miners and millers.
- Pfizer acquired Coty in 1963 and sold it in 1992. Both companies may be held liable for asbestos exposure during those times.
- Coty purchased talc from the Val Chisone mines for decades. A prominent 1972 study found samples of Val Chisone talc contained three harmful types of asbestos: chrysotile, tremolite and anthophyllite.
- Coty has been named in mesothelioma lawsuits by consumers and manufacturers of its products.
Some of the talc-based products Coty made and sold contained asbestos. Researchers reported finding the mineral in some of the company’s face powders in 1972.
The most definitive evidence came in 1976, when Mount Sinai Hospital published a report showing that Coty’s popular Airspun Face Powder contained asbestos. The report noted Airspun, along with other prominent cosmetic brands, contained between 8% and 20% asbestos. A face powder containing a small percentage of asbestos could still be concerning because applying powder can create airborne dust that may be inhaled repeatedly over time.
High-Risk Occupations at Coty Inc.
Asbestos contamination often occurs when talc is mined. Using this contaminated talc in cosmetic products may lead to asbestos exposure. Testing shows some of Coty's talc-based cosmetics have contained varying amounts of asbestos.
Consumers and workers may have experienced asbestos exposure through these products. Occupational exposure may occur in factories that manufacture Coty's products. Retail store workers and makeup artists may also be exposed to asbestos in these products.
- Cosmetics manufacturers
- Cosmetics store workers
- Cosmetologists
- Drilling engineers
- Equipment operators
- Excavators
- Factory workers
- Geologists
- Makeup artists
- Mine workers
- Mining engineers
- Models
Family members may have been unintentionally exposed when a Coty employee brought talc dust home. If a person in the family handles contaminated clothes or other belongings, they may also be exposed to asbestos. This is called secondary exposure.
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Asbestos Products Manufactured at Coty Inc.
Because talc and asbestos often form together in the earth, the mining process carries a significant risk of causing cross-contamination. Coty’s reliance on the Val Chisone deposit from 1946 through the early 1980s meant that many of its raw materials tested positive for these dangerous asbestos fibers.
While various cosmetic lines were produced during this era, laboratory reports specifically confirmed asbestos contamination in the following Coty products:
- Coty Airspun Face Powder
- Emeraude Dusting Powder
- Emeraude Spray Dusting Powder
Coty and its subsidiary brands manufactured other talc-based products. These products may have also contained asbestos.
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Compensation for Coty Inc. Workers & Consumers With Mesothelioma
Anyone exposed to asbestos may develop mesothelioma, even decades after coming into contact with the mineral. People with mesothelioma who used Coty talc products may be eligible to file asbestos lawsuits or other legal claims.
Mesothelioma patients and their families have been awarded compensation following legal actions. This compensation can be used for medical bills, travel to treatments, lost income and other expenses.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can explain your options. These attorneys understand specific asbestos laws and can file the lawsuit on your behalf. They can also handle the complete legal process to simplify it for the victims.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits Against Coty Inc.
Many companies that manufacture or sell talc products have faced litigation. Coty has been named in lawsuits where the victim cited asbestos-related talc in the company’s Airspun Face Powder. Some recent cases include:
- 2025: A woman diagnosed with mesothelioma filed a lawsuit in Illinois against Coty and several other prominent companies for negligence. The case was moved from a state court to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois in late 2025 and is still ongoing.
- 2020: An 84-year-old woman sued Coty and the companies that supplied talc. She claimed that the talc used in Airspun Face Powder caused her mesothelioma. This case was filed in a New York court and is ongoing.
- 2018: A woman sued Coty in a California court, claiming asbestos-related talc in the company’s Airspun Face Powder caused her mesothelioma.
- 2015: A lawsuit filed in California by a woman with mesothelioma and her husband alleged her diagnosis came after decades of talc use. The lawsuit included several companies, including Colgate-Palmolive and Pfizer.
People diagnosed with mesothelioma may have legal options available. To follow certain filing timelines, mesothelioma patients and their families are encouraged to speak with an asbestos attorney as soon as possible.
Common Questions About Asbestos Exposure at Coty Inc.
Can family members of Coty workers also file claims for mesothelioma?
How long do mesothelioma cases against Coty take?
I worked at Coty; am I eligible to file a claim with an asbestos trust fund?
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Tara Strand specializes in writing content about mesothelioma and asbestos. She focuses on topics like mesothelioma awareness, research, treatment, asbestos trust funds and other advocacy efforts.
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Reviewed by
Jennifer Lucarelli
Mesothelioma Lawyer and Legal Advisor
For more than two decades, Jennifer Lucarelli has served as Legal Advisor at Mesothelioma.com. She has advocated for more than 1,000 asbestos victims, securing millions in settlements and helping them access quality medical care.