Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Indiana (IN)

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Indiana

When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, there is a high chance that these microscopic substances become lodged in the tissues of internal organs, leading to cancerous growths such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the organ lining and is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. In Indiana, individuals most affected by asbestos-related diseases historically worked in industries such as steel production, coal, and shipbuilding.

Between 1999 and 2017, Indiana recorded 5,790 asbestos-related deaths. Of these, 1,120 were attributed to mesothelioma, while 4,480 resulted from non-mesothelioma lung cancer.

In 2023, an estimated 6,020 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer were reported in Indiana, with approximately 3,250 deaths. Among females, lung cancer accounted for about 60.7% of cases. Between 2010 and 2014, 72 people per 100,000 were diagnosed with lung cancer.

Decades of industrial asbestos use in Indiana have left a lasting public health impact, with thousands of workers and families affected long after exposure occurred.

Contributing Factors

Many workers and their families in Indiana suffered asbestos exposure before the 1980s, significantly increasing their risk of developing fatal illnesses such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. The risk was especially high in industries including automotive manufacturing, coal, petroleum, rubber, steel, chemical production, and electrical equipment manufacturing.

Maintenance workers in steel mills and manufacturing plants were also at substantial risk. Additionally, hospitals and public buildings constructed before the 1980s are believed to be major sources of asbestos exposure due to the widespread use of asbestos for insulation and fireproofing.

Lake County has recorded the highest number of asbestos-related illnesses in the state, with an estimated 869 deaths between 1999 and 2017. This is largely attributed to the concentration of steel mills and shipbuilding operations. Smoking further increases lung cancer risk among individuals exposed to asbestos.