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Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Massachusetts (MA)

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Massachusetts

Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers is one of the leading causes of mesothelioma. This rare but aggressive cancer affects the mesothelial layer surrounding various organs in the body.

The age-adjusted rate of mesothelioma in Massachusetts from 2017 to 2021 was 0.9 per 100,000 people, with 377 new cases reported.

In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is a major cause of lung cancer. In 2023, an estimated 5,790 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer were reported in Massachusetts, with approximately 2,570 deaths.

Between 2017 and 2021, the age-adjusted rate of lung cancer in the state was 55.9 per 100,000 people, with 25,607 new cases reported. As of 2024, the lung cancer rate increased to 57.6, slightly higher than the national average of 53.6.

Massachusetts ranks 31st in the United States for lung cancer incidence, placing it below the national average tier despite elevated exposure risks.

Was I exposed to asbestos in Massachusetts?

Select a city in massachusetts-asbestos-lawyers where you or a household member worked to see the jobsites in Massachusetts with known 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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Contributing Factors

Industrial worksites such as mines, shipyards, and manufacturing facilities have been major contributors to mesothelioma cases in Massachusetts. The construction and manufacturing sectors played a significant role due to widespread asbestos use in buildings and equipment.

Workers most affected include construction workers, electricians, boiler workers, engineers, metalworkers, machine operators, and miners. Many schools and homes built before 1980 still contain asbestos, posing risks during renovations or demolition.

Asbestos exposure can also lead to lung cancer, especially among individuals who worked at contaminated sites. Smoking further increases this risk.

High-Risk Occupations in Massachusetts

Military and Veterans

Until the 1980s, asbestos was widely used across all branches of the U.S. military in buildings, ships, vehicles, and machinery. Older facilities and equipment still contain asbestos, creating long-term exposure risks.

In Massachusetts, military locations such as the Charlestown Navy Yard and Bedford Air Force Base are known for asbestos concerns affecting veterans and service members.

Shipyard Workers

The Fore River Shipyard, opened in 1883, built more than 600 ships during periods of peak asbestos use. Workers at this shipyard may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials throughout its operation until closure in 1989.

The Bethlehem Hingham Shipyard, operating from 1941 to 1986, employed over 23,000 workers at its height. Its extensive use of asbestos placed many employees at significant risk.

Construction Workers

Asbestos was widely used in Massachusetts public school construction during the 20th century. Schools such as Middleboro Junior High and High School, Medford High School, Needham High School, and Dartmouth Catholic High School incorporated asbestos materials.

As these structures age, asbestos materials can deteriorate and become airborne, putting maintenance crews and renovation workers at risk.

Additional occupations impacted by asbestos exposure include plumbing, electrical work, firefighting, railroad maintenance, boiler operation, and HVAC installation.

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Cities in Massachusetts with Asbestos

There are 434 cities in Massachusetts that are covered by Asbestos Trust Funds

Key Asbestos-Related Settlements and Verdicts in Massachusetts

$39 Million Verdict (2024)

A Boston jury awarded $39 million to the family of Bryce Zundel, who developed mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos-contaminated talc during a medical procedure. The manufacturer was found responsible for the exposure.

$14.4 Million Settlement (2017)

Two Massachusetts families received a combined $14.4 million after the court determined that New England Insulation negligently supplied hazardous asbestos insulation materials.

$9.3 Million Verdict (2014)

Katherine Lydon was awarded $9.3 million in a wrongful death case after her husband developed mesothelioma from long-term exposure to asbestos spray insulation used during his construction work.

Asbestos Exposure by State

Recognition Received