Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in California

Asbestos exposure has played a significant role in the development of mesothelioma and lung cancer among California workers and residents.

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in California

Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the tissue lining that covers internal organs in the human body. This disease is caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. According to CDC statistics, the age-adjusted rate of mesothelioma in California between 2017 and 2021 was 0.7 per 100,000 people, with 1,515 new cases reported.

Lung cancer is also caused due to asbestos exposure. In 2023, an estimated 17,040 new cases of lung cancer and 9,380 deaths associated with this disease were reported in California.

Between 2017 and 2021, the age-adjusted rate of lung cancer in California was 36.7 per 100,000 people, with 82,005 new cases reported during this period.

California ranks third in the United States for new lung cancer cases. The current incidence rate is 37.0, which is lower than the national average of 53.6. Over the last five years, the rate of new lung cancer cases has improved by 16 percent.

Contributing Factors

Northern California contains multiple water sources contaminated with asbestos, increasing the risk of peritoneal mesothelioma and lung cancer. Residential proximity to naturally occurring asbestos further increases disease risk, particularly for farmers living near asbestos-rich soil and rock.

Smokers face the highest risk of developing asbestos-related lung cancer. Toxic pollutants in air, soil, and water also contribute to lung cancer incidence. Inhaled asbestos fibers lodge in the lungs, scarring tissue over time and potentially leading to tumor growth. Smoking significantly increases this risk.