Trojan condoms contain 'forever chemicals,' lawsuit claims

Church & Dwight

09/09/2024 23:00

By Jonathan Stempel
       NEW YORK, Sept 9 (Reuters) - A new lawsuit on Monday
claims that Trojan condoms are not safe because they contain
toxic "forever chemicals," which have been linked to cancer.
    In a proposed class action filed in Manhattan federal court,
the plaintiff Matthew Goodman said Church & Dwight's  CHD.N 
products, advertised as "America's #1 Condom," are unfit for
their intended purpose because they contain per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
    Goodman said independent lab testing of the Trojan Ultra
Thin condoms that he bought at a Manhattan pharmacy found a
presence of organic fluorine, which is "practically nonexistent"
outside its use in man-made PFAS chemicals. 
    "Based on the label, he reasonably believed the product was
safe for use on his genitalia," the complaint said, referring to
Goodman.
    "Had defendant disclosed on the label that the products
contained PFAS chemicals, and the harms that can result from
contact with PFAS chemicals, he would not have purchased the
products, or at the very least, would have only been willing to
pay significantly less," it added.
    The complaint seeks at least $5 million in damages from
Ewing, New Jersey-based Church & Dwight for purchasers of Trojan
condoms nationwide.
    Church & Dwight did not immediately respond to requests for
comment after market hours. Lawyers for the plaintiff did not
immediately respond to similar requests.
    In July, the consumer advocacy blog Mamavation said tests of
 29 popular condoms and lubricants found several with a possible
presence of PFAS, including Trojan Ultra Thin condoms.
    PFAS are found in hundreds of consumer and commercial
products including cosmetics, non-stick pans and stain-resistant
clothing.
    They became known as "forever chemicals" because they do not
break down easily in the human body or environment.
    PFAS have been linked to negative health effects including
higher cholesterol, low birth weights and reduced antibody
response to vaccines, as well as kidney and testicular cancer.
    The case is Goodman v. Church & Dwight Co, U.S. District
Court, Southern District of New York, No. 24-06813.    

 (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Stephen
Coates)
 ((jon.stempel@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646 223 6317; Reuters
Messaging: jon.stempel.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))