It makes zero sense, but yeah.

There was a thing not long ago where talcum powder, I think Johnson & Johnson, had some asbestos contamination (asbestos being another mineral that can come from the same mines, apparently). And people were suing because it gave them cancer of the uterus and other internal parts of the female reproductive system. Which makes you go: Wait a second. How the hell does that happen?

That's how.

I find it hard to believe. Wouldn't it make more sense that the powder was in contact with the external reproductive parts for extended amounts of time (which is its normal usage) and as a result some parts managed to get inside?

I don't think people are intentionally pushing talc through their cervix, if that's what you mean. But, pack your vagina with the stuff every day, and I imagine you can have all kinds of problems. If I were to go any further than that about exactly how it works I'd be speculating.

OK, I see. Because back in the day it was more or less standard to use powder in the groin area and leave it for hours in order to prevent skin irritation in babies, especially in the summer. So since it was standard usage, people should reasonably expect that the powder sold for this purpose was sufficiently examined and fit for the purpose.

When I first heard about asbestos in children talc powder, I simply thought it was just one of these "bad pharma" conspiracy theories (there was another one - about asbestos in sanitary towels). It seemed so far-fetched - who in their right mind wouldn't make sure to thoroughly check a product designed to have long-term contact with babies' skin against well-known carcinogenic substance? Well, it turns out this time it happened not in China but right in the heart of the USA.