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Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Mississippi

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Mississippi

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer most commonly caused by asbestos exposure. Mississippi has experienced a measurable impact from this disease due to its industrial history. From 2017 to 2021, the state reported an age-adjusted mesothelioma incidence rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people, with 122 newly diagnosed cases. These cases are closely tied to industries that historically relied on asbestos, including oil and gas production, power generation, shipbuilding, chemical manufacturing, and lumber and paper processing.

Lung cancer is another serious illness associated with asbestos exposure. During the same 2017 to 2021 period, Mississippi recorded an incidence rate of 68.9 lung cancer cases per 100,000 people, totaling 12,976 cases. In 2023 alone, approximately 2,830 new lung cancer diagnoses were reported, along with 230 related deaths.

Asbestos-related diseases often develop decades after initial exposure, making early awareness and long-term health monitoring critically important.

Contributing Factors

Although Mississippi does not have natural asbestos deposits or mines, occupational exposure has been a significant risk factor. Asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding, manufacturing, and construction materials such as insulation, roofing products, and industrial piping. Workers in older buildings and facilities were particularly vulnerable to prolonged exposure.

The highest mesothelioma mortality rates are found in the southernmost regions of Mississippi, reflecting the long-standing industrial use of asbestos in these areas. Many individuals continue to receive diagnoses decades after their exposure occurred.

While smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk, even among non-smokers. When combined, smoking and asbestos exposure greatly elevate the likelihood of developing lung cancer. Due to the long latency period of asbestos-related diseases, education, awareness, and early detection remain essential.

Was I exposed to asbestos in Mississippi?

Select a city in mississippi-asbestos-lawyers where you or a household member worked to see the jobsites in Mississippi 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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High-Risk Occupations in Mississippi

Certain industries in Mississippi have historically faced higher asbestos exposure levels, particularly oil refining, power generation, and shipbuilding. These sectors relied heavily on asbestos-containing materials for heat resistance and fire prevention for many decades.

Oil Refinery Workers

Mississippi has played an important role in the oil and gas industry since the early 1900s. Asbestos was commonly used in refinery equipment due to its heat-resistant properties. Workers at facilities operated by companies such as Hess Oil & Chemical, Chevron, Southland Oil, and Grenada Oil Company were frequently exposed to asbestos as part of their daily work environment.

Power Plant Workers

Power plants routinely used asbestos insulation to protect against fire and extreme heat. In Mississippi, facilities such as the Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Plant, Jack Watson Powerhouse, and Gulf Power Plant incorporated asbestos into pipe systems, electrical components, and structural materials, placing workers at risk of exposure.

Shipyard Workers

Maritime workers face a significantly higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases than the general population. From the mid-1930s through the late 1970s, asbestos insulation was extensively used in ship construction. In Mississippi, workers at Ingalls Shipbuilding and the Naval Station in Pascagoula experienced some of the highest exposure levels.

Chemical Plant Workers

Asbestos was valued in chemical processing facilities for its resistance to heat, electricity, and corrosive substances. Unfortunately, this widespread use exposed many chemical plant workers to harmful asbestos fibers. Facilities operated by Mississippi Chemical, Spencer Chemical Company, and Vicksburg Chemical Company are known to have used asbestos-containing materials.

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Cities in Mississippi with Asbestos

There are 153 cities in Mississippi that are covered by Asbestos Trust Funds

Notable Asbestos Verdicts in Mississippi

$1.36 Million Award for Exposure Linked to Union Carbide

In 2016, a Mississippi jury awarded $1.36 million to James Ray McManus after determining that his mesothelioma diagnosis was caused by asbestos exposure linked to Union Carbide.

Nearly $1 Million Verdict for Shipyard Worker

James L. Jackson received a $970,750 verdict after successfully proving that asbestos products used at Ingalls Shipyard directly caused his mesothelioma.

$865,000 Settlement for Ship Repair Work in Pascagoula

Robert Overly was awarded a total of $865,000 following asbestos exposure while repairing ships in Pascagoula. The verdict included compensation for both economic losses and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

Asbestos Exposure by State

Recognition Received