The maker of a product millions of moms and many other people have trusted for years is now facing serious charges and hefty payouts after a St. Louis jury awarded a Virginia woman a record-setting $110.5 million last week.

On May 4, a jury ruled in favor of 62-year-old Lois Slemp from Wise, Virginia. Slemp went after Johnson & Johnson after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. She says her diagnosis is a result of using the popular talcum-containing product — including the company’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Powder — for more than 40 years. The jury awarded punitive damages of $105 million against Johnson & Johnson and $50,000 against Imery’s (the talc supplier for Johnson & Johnson).

Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral made up mainly of the elements magnesium, silicon and oxygen.

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And while her particular story has been making major headlines and creating waves among consumers, she is not alone in her fight to hold the company responsible. Three other similar cases ended in verdicts of $72 million, $70 million, and $55 million.

The largest of those three cases involved the family of an Alabama woman who died from ovarian cancer in 2016. That family alleged that Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and other products contained talc, which caused her cancer. In this case, the company was ordered to pay $72 million in damages to the family.

Johnson & Johnson said it would appeal and disputed the scientific evidence behind Slemp’s claims. A statement from the company said: “We are preparing for additional trials this year and we will continue to defend the safety of Johnson’s Baby Powder.”

So what exactly is talcum powder? Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral made up mainly of the elements magnesium, silicon and oxygen. It has been used in various products for years because of its ability to absorb moisture and cut down on friction — something many moms and others have trusted to help with dry skin and rashes.

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According to the American Cancer Society’s webpage, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC), “based on limited evidence from human studies of a link to ovarian cancer, IRAC classifies the perineal (genital) use of talc-based baby powder as possibly carcinogenic to humans.” The group also states that “studies of personal use of talcum powder have had mixed results, although there is some suggestion of a possible increase in ovarian cancer. Until more information is available, people concerned about using talcum powder may want to avoid or limit their use of consumer products that contain it.”

What can I use other than talc baby powder? The reason most moms grab baby powder is to help their child’s skin absorb moisture — and to prevent rashes. This recent news is sending many of them to their bathrooms to throw out any product containing this ingredient.

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The good news is there are countless alternatives to using talc containing powder, such as cornstarch, baking soda, arrowroot starch, tapioca starch, and oat flour. Cornstarch has become a favorite among moms because of its ability to soak up wetness just as well as the talc-containing powders.

Here are also several talc-free brands designed to help absorb moisture in babies: Burt’s Bees Dusting Powder, Honest Company, Nature’s Baby, and California Baby.

Sara Hermanson is a freelance writer in Washington State whose focus is health, wellness, fitness and parenting.