FRANKFORT, Ky. — Attorney General Russell Coleman, R-Ky., announced Kentucky will receive its share of a $700 million nationwide settlement with Johnson & Johnson for its baby and body powder products.

For more than 100 years, the company sold baby and body powder products that contained talc, a substance harmful to humans. Kentucky joined 42 other states in launching an investigation into Johnson & Johnson, and found they deceptively promoted and misled consumers about the safety and purity of these products.

As part of the settlement, Johnson & Johnson also agreed to stop the sale of talc products in the U.S.

Over four years, Kentucky will receive over $9 million — approximately $2.3 million each year.

“Our office works diligently to protect Kentucky families from potentially dangerous products,” said Coleman. “The attorney general’s Office of Consumer Protection helps Kentuckians rest assured when they go to the store, they find safe and reliable products for their family.”]

The settlement was handled by the attorney general’s Office of Consumer Protection, including by Assistant Attorney General Matthew Cocanougher, Division Chief Chris Lewis, Executive Director Philip Heleringer, and Deputy Executive Director Jon Farmer.

Kentucky was joined by attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.