Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Michigan (MI)

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Michigan

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by prolonged asbestos exposure that affects the thin outer lining of internal organs. In Michigan, the age-adjusted mesothelioma rate between 2017 and 2021 was 0.8 per 100,000 people, with 527 newly reported cases. The state's extensive history of asbestos use, particularly in shipbuilding and the automotive industry, has contributed significantly to these numbers.

Lung cancer is another deadly disease linked to asbestos exposure. In 2023, Michigan recorded an estimated 8,690 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer, along with approximately 4,930 related deaths. From 2017 to 2021, the age-adjusted lung cancer rate was 58.8 per 100,000 people, totaling 40,061 cases. Michigan's lung cancer rate of 69.3 exceeds the national average of 53.6, ranking the state 36th nationwide for incidence.

Michigan's industrial history has left a lasting public health impact, with asbestos-related diseases continuing to affect workers and families decades after exposure occurred.

Contributing Factors

Asbestos exposure has been a long-standing concern in Michigan due to its widespread industrial use throughout the twentieth century. The state's manufacturing strength, especially in automotive production, shipbuilding, and steel manufacturing, relied heavily on asbestos for insulation, brake components, gaskets, and protective equipment.

Workers in Detroit's auto plants, shipyards along the Great Lakes, steel mills, and power plants faced elevated exposure risks. Asbestos was also commonly found in residential environments, including older homes, schools, and public buildings. Secondary exposure occurred when workers unknowingly carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Smoking further increases the likelihood of lung cancer in individuals exposed to asbestos.