Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Illinois

Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Prevalence in Illinois

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure. In Illinois, 612 mesothelioma cases were reported between 2017 and 2021. Lung cancer, another major asbestos-related disease, resulted in approximately 46,491 cases during the same period.

The age-adjusted incidence rate for lung cancer in Illinois was 58.3 per 100,000 people, while the mesothelioma rate was 0.8 per 100,000 people.

Illinois ranks among the top states nationwide for asbestos-related disease burden, reflecting decades of industrial and occupational exposure.

Historical data shows that between 1999 and 2017, Illinois recorded 12,067 asbestos-related deaths, including 9,332 non-mesothelioma lung cancer deaths and 2,333 mesothelioma deaths. The state's asbestos-related death rate of 5.0 per 100,000 people slightly exceeds the national average of 4.9 per 100,000.

Illinois ranks seventh nationally for asbestos-related deaths, with DuPage, Lake, and Cook counties showing the highest rates of mesothelioma and lung cancer between 1999 and 2013.

Contributing Factors

Asbestos exposure remains the primary cause of mesothelioma in Illinois. The state's extensive industrial history has created both occupational and environmental risks associated with this toxic material.

While cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, asbestos exposure significantly increases lung cancer risk, especially for individuals exposed in workplace settings.

Industries such as manufacturing, coal production, petroleum refining, agriculture, timber processing, and power generation historically relied on asbestos for insulation and fire resistance. This reliance exposed many workers to harmful asbestos fibers.

Illinois contains numerous locations of concern, including aging school buildings, the Johns-Manville Superfund site in Waukegan, and more than 30 additional contaminated sites statewide. Major power plants and oil refineries have also contributed to occupational asbestos exposure.

Veterans face particularly high risks, with nearly one-third of mesothelioma cases in Illinois involving former military personnel. Asbestos was heavily used by the U.S. military, especially in shipbuilding and maintenance.

Other high-risk occupations include mining, construction, plumbing, manufacturing, pipe-fitting, demolition, and renovation. Asbestos has also been identified in schools, universities, and residential buildings across Illinois, including university residence halls.