Noxell Corporation & Asbestos Exposure
Noxell Corporation once manufactured household products that used talc, which may have been contaminated with asbestos. Company employees exposed to asbestos at Noxell may be at risk of developing mesothelioma years later. If that happens, they may be eligible for compensation.
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Asbestos Exposure at Noxell Corporation
Noxell Corporation was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1917 as the Noxzema Chemical Company. In 1961, Noxell Corporation began selling medicated makeup under the brand name CoverGirl®. The CoverGirl brand included powdered makeup that used talc as an ingredient. Lawsuits have alleged that some talc supplied to Noxell was contaminated with asbestos.
The company expanded over the years, reaching more consumers. For instance, Noxell sold the CoverGirl product line internationally by establishing a British subsidiary in 1977.
Noxell became a major player in the personal care industry, often involved with other brands and companies. The company was later acquired by Procter & Gamble (P&G) in 1989 and continued operating as a subsidiary. In 2016, Coty, Inc. took over the CoverGirl brand. Just five years later, Noxell was named in one of its earliest publicly documented asbestos lawsuits.
- A 2024 complaint alleged that Noxell received talc from Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and IMI Fabi. These suppliers’ source materials had tested positive for asbestos.
- Whittaker, Clark & Daniels processed talc supplied by Pfizer’s Montana mining operations.
- CoverGirl introduced a talc-free line of makeup in 2020, but it hasn’t committed to eliminating talc-based products.
- Some CoverGirl products, such as Cheekers Blush and Clean Matte Pressed Powder, still include talc.
- Both asbestos and talc may form deposits close together, leading to contamination during mining.
As Noxell employees manufactured, packaged and sold talc-based makeup, they may have inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers. Consumers may also have been exposed when applying the contaminated makeup.
High-Risk Occupations at Noxell Corporation
Noxell may have put some workers and consumers at risk of asbestos exposure. Employees who manufactured or packaged talc-based products faced a higher risk of occupational exposure. Some high-risk occupations include:
- Cosmetics manufacturers
- Cosmetics store workers
- Cosmetologists
- Drilling engineers
- Equipment operators
- Excavators
- Factory workers
- Geologists
- Makeup artists
- Mine workers
- Mining engineers
- Models
Family members of workers may also be exposed. When someone accidentally brings asbestos fibers home on their person, clothing, shoes, or belongings, people in their home may come in contact through secondary exposure. Anyone in the vicinity of a consumer using an asbestos-contaminated CoverGirl product also risked exposure.
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Asbestos Products Manufactured at Noxell Corporation
Noxell manufactured talc-based cosmetics, which have been named in lawsuits. For example, it used talc sourced by Pfizer from 1987 through at least 1992. A complaint alleged that in 1973, Pfizer received concerning test results for its talc mined in Montana. In these findings, members of the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association reported tremolite and chrysotile fibers in the raw talc.
Although asbestos fibers were identified in the raw talc used to manufacture the cosmetics, independent testing has not confirmed the presence of asbestos in the finished cosmetic products. Because talc deposits can occur alongside asbestos deposits, cosmetic talc can become contaminated during mining. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require routine asbestos testing for cosmetic products before they are sold.
Lawsuits and other litigation have cited various types of CoverGirl products as having asbestos, including:
- Blushes
- Bronzers
- Eye shadows
- Foundations
- Loose and packed face powders
Consumers and workers who used or made these products may develop mesothelioma decades later.
Have a Question About Asbestos Exposure and Noxell Corporation? Ask experienced mesothelioma advocate Jennifer Lucarelli Ask a Question
Noxell Corporation Talc Lawsuits and Mesothelioma Compensation
People who develop mesothelioma after asbestos exposure from Noxell products may be able to file various legal claims, including mesothelioma lawsuits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have been awarded compensation in successful cases. They can use that money to help cover medical costs, travel to treatments, lost income and other expenses.
A law firm with experienced mesothelioma lawyers can work with you to explain your options. These attorneys understand asbestos laws and have the resources available to identify possible sources of exposure. They also handle the entire legal process for you, including filing the claim, negotiating settlements or presenting the case in court.
Asbestos Lawsuits
People affected by contaminated talc have named Noxell in lawsuits. In some cases, the lawsuits included several other cosmetic manufacturers, such as Avon and Johnson & Johnson (J&J). Some of the recent lawsuits include:
- 2025: This California case involved a man and woman claiming personal injuries caused by asbestos. The case named Noxell Corporation, along with other entities, and is currently pending.
- 2024: A woman filed a lawsuit in Maryland after she developed mesothelioma. The complaint alleged asbestos exposure from talc-based cosmetics, including some manufactured by Noxell. The lawsuit ended in a $1.5 billion verdict against J&J and affiliated entities.
- 2024: A woman diagnosed with mesothelioma and her husband filed a lawsuit in Oregon, claiming that some CoverGirl products contained asbestos. Noxell and other companies were named in the lawsuit, with several of the companies found liable in the verdict.
- 2023: In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, a woman claimed personal injury from asbestos. Noxell and other companies were named in the complaint, which was moved to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in 2024.
- 2023: Two women filed a wrongful death lawsuit against several companies, including Noxell, in South Carolina. After one company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the case was paused until the bankruptcy plan is settled.
Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Important laws affecting personal injury and wrongful death lawsuit filing windows are known as statutes of limitations. You can speak with a mesothelioma attorney to determine which statutes apply to your case.
Common Questions About Asbestos Exposure at Noxell Corporation
Does Noxell Corporation have an asbestos trust fund?
How long do cases against Noxell Corporation take?
Which Noxell Corporation products may have contained asbestos-contaminated talc?
Sources
encyclopedia.com - Procter & Gamble Company; 7/21/2026
Zippia.com - Noxell history; 1/1/2026
cosmetics and skin - Cover Girl; 3/14/24
allure - CoverGirl Launched Clean Fresh, an Affordable, Vegan Beauty Line; 9/15/2020
Cosmetics Business - Covergirl goes 'clean' with new make-up line; 12/19/2019
Preservation Maryland - Made in Maryland: Noxzema; 7/30/2018
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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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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.