Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Alabama
Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Alabama
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelial layer, a thin layer of tissue surrounding most internal organs. The disease has been largely attributed to asbestos exposure. Between 2017 and 2021, the age-adjusted incidence rate of mesothelioma in Alabama was 0.5 per 100,000 people, with approximately 174 reported cases.
In addition to mesothelioma, lung cancer is another disease commonly linked to asbestos exposure. In 2023, an estimated 4,280 new lung cancer cases and 2,610 deaths associated with the disease were reported in Alabama.
Between 2017 and 2021, the age-adjusted rate of lung cancer in Alabama was 58.4 per 100,000 people, with 19,458 new cases reported. The state's rate of new lung cancer cases, 58.7 per 100,000, exceeded the national average of 53.6. Although Alabama ranked 35th nationally for lung cancer incidence, the rate of new cases improved by 10.5% over the last five years.
Asbestos exposure has had long-term health consequences across Alabama, with many illnesses emerging decades after initial contact.
Contributing Factors
Numerous industries in Alabama historically used asbestos in manufacturing and infrastructure. Facilities such as the Rock Wool Manufacturing Company in Leeds exposed many employees to asbestos-containing materials during routine operations.
Power plants throughout the state, including the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant and the Colbert Steam Plant, relied heavily on asbestos for insulation and equipment. Similarly, oil refineries such as the Coastal Mobile Refinery incorporated asbestos into machinery and infrastructure, placing workers at risk during chemical processing.
The shipbuilding industry also played a significant role in asbestos exposure. Shipyards like Gulf Shipyard used asbestos extensively due to its durability. Military installations, including Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, exposed service members and civilian workers to asbestos in buildings and naval vessels. Smoking further increases the risk of developing lung cancer among exposed individuals.
