The Lancet

The Lancet

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Retraction—Today, we retract an unsigned 1977 commentary suggesting talc powder containing asbestos was not harmful. The Lancet was informed that the author had undisclosed competing interests and breached publication ethics. /4

Social media card dated 25.03.2026. The text reads, “Retraction—Today, we retract an unsigned 1977 commentary on the safety of asbestos in talcum powder. We thank David Rosner and Gerald Markowitz for their rigorous investigation and alerting The Lancet that the commentary was written by a paid consultant of Johnson & Johnson—representing undeclared competing interest and a clear breach of publication ethics. Our editorial processes have evolved significantly since 1977 to improve transparency, ethical standards, and scientific integrity. In our view, had our editors at the time known of this situation, they would not have published this piece. Therefore, we are now retracting it.”