Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Idaho

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Idaho

Sustained asbestos exposure is a leading cause of mesothelioma, a severe cancer that develops when asbestos fibers become embedded in the thin lining of internal organs and eventually form tumors. From 2017 to 2021, the age-adjusted mesothelioma rate in Idaho was 1.0 per 100,000 people, with 21 new cases reported. Major sources of asbestos exposure in the state include the Rocky Mountains, mining operations, and older buildings.

Lung cancer is another serious health concern associated with asbestos exposure. In 2023, an estimated 1,080 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer were reported in Idaho, with approximately 580 deaths.

Between 2017 and 2021, Idaho reported an age-adjusted lung cancer rate of 41.0 per 100,000 people, with 979 new cases during that period. The state's new lung cancer rate of 45.2 is lower than the national average of 53.6. Idaho ranks 10th in the United States for lung cancer incidence, and the rate of new cases has improved by 18% over the past five years.

Asbestos exposure remains a preventable but persistent health risk in Idaho due to natural deposits, aging infrastructure, and legacy industrial practices.

Contributing Factors

The Rocky Mountains in Idaho contain natural asbestos deposits. Notable locations include the Kamiah deposit, Adams County, and Clearwater County. Workers in insulation and construction have historically faced significant exposure risks, leading to cases of mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Older school buildings and aging infrastructure across the state have also contributed to asbestos-related health risks. Additional sites with asbestos deposits include the Teakean deposit, Olson, the Blacktail asbestos prospect, and several unnamed locations in Adams County. Numerous chemical plants and power plants in Idaho have also been linked to asbestos exposure.

In addition to mesothelioma, inhaling asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer. Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing this often-fatal disease when combined with asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure has affected workers and families in every state, across countless industries, and often long after the original exposure occurred. Asbestos-related illness is not limited to any single region. Exposure has occurred in factories, power plants, oil refineries, shipyards, schools, hospitals, military bases, and residential buildings throughout the United States.

Workplace

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High-Risk Occupations for Asbestos Exposure in Idaho

Industrial Workers

Industrial workers across Idaho, particularly those in wood product manufacturing and metal processing, faced high asbestos exposure risks. Cities such as Boise were home to sawmills and paper mills where asbestos was commonly used before the 1980s to insulate pipes, machinery, and boilers.

As these materials aged or were disturbed during maintenance, asbestos fibers became airborne, exposing workers on site. The smelting industry also posed serious hazards, particularly at facilities such as the Bunker Hill Smelter, where asbestos was used in insulation and gaskets that required frequent replacement.

Power Plant Workers

Coal-fired power plants in Idaho, including Oxbow and Valmy, relied heavily on asbestos because of its insulating properties and low cost. Asbestos was commonly found in gaskets, insulation, and other components. Maintenance and repair work often disturbed these materials, releasing hazardous fibers into the air.

Construction Workers

Many older office buildings in Idaho, including corporate facilities, contained asbestos in ceiling panels, floor tiles, pipes, and insulation. Construction workers were exposed during original construction, while maintenance and renovation workers faced continued risks.

Numerous residential and commercial buildings in Boise built before 1980 also used asbestos-containing materials such as roofing, drywall, insulation, and joint compounds.

Automotive Mechanics

The automotive industry widely used asbestos in gaskets, clutches, and brakes. Mechanics working on older vehicles, particularly in independent repair shops, continue to face exposure risks in Idaho today.

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Cities in Idaho with Asbestos

There are 70 cities in Idaho that are covered by Asbestos Trust Funds

Trust Funds for Idaho Asbestos Victims

Asbestos trust funds were established by companies to compensate individuals harmed by asbestos exposure. While Idaho does not host the headquarters of any asbestos trust funds, affected residents may still be eligible for compensation through national trusts.

Western Asbestos Settlement Trust

The Western Asbestos Settlement Trust was created to compensate workers exposed to asbestos through equipment produced by the Western States Equipment Company. The company's machinery contained high levels of asbestos and continued to pose risks even after federal regulations were enacted.

Established in 2004, the trust was initially funded with $2 billion to support victims and their families.

Landmark Idaho Asbestos Verdict

EPA vs. Idaho Transportation Department

In 2014, the Idaho Transportation Department agreed to pay a $55,800 penalty to settle allegations brought by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The case involved violations of federal asbestos regulations during renovations at the ITD Maintenance Shop in Rigby.

Untrained inmates were reportedly used to remove asbestos-containing floor tiles without proper safety procedures. The incident exposed workers, supervisors, and waste handlers to asbestos-related health risks.