Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Kansas (KS)
Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Kansas
Exposure to asbestos on a prolonged basis is the primary cause of mesothelioma. Microscopic asbestos fibers, when inhaled or ingested, can become lodged in the mesothelial lining of internal organs, eventually leading to the development of mesothelioma.
The age-adjusted rate of mesothelioma in Kansas from 2017 to 2021 was 0.6 per 100,000 people, with 101 new cases reported statewide.
In addition to mesothelioma, lung cancer is another fatal disease associated with asbestos exposure. In 2023, Kansas reported an estimated 2,240 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer, resulting in approximately 1,330 deaths.
Between 2017 and 2021, the age-adjusted lung cancer rate in Kansas was 52.2 per 100,000 people, accounting for 9,494 new cases. In 2024, the new lung cancer rate declined slightly to 51.9, which is lower than the national average of 53.6. Kansas ranks 18th in the United States for lung cancer incidence, with a 10% improvement in new case rates over the past five years.
Although asbestos use has declined, the health consequences of historical exposure continue to affect workers and families across Kansas.
Contributing Factors
Asbestos exposure in Kansas has historically originated from manufacturing plants, industrial facilities, and military bases where asbestos-containing materials were widely used. Harcros Chemical, founded in 1917 in Kansas City, utilized asbestos- insulated machinery during periods of industrial growth.
In 2021, Compass Resources was fined for exposing workers to asbestos hazards. Wichita's aircraft manufacturing sector, particularly companies such as Cessna and Boeing, also contributed to asbestos-related illnesses. Although Boeing phased out asbestos use by the early 1990s, the long-term effects of prior exposure remain evident.
Asbestos exposure at industrial sites has also significantly increased the risk of lung cancer, particularly among workers who were active smokers.
