Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Missouri
Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Prevalence in Missouri
Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure, continues to impact Missouri residents. Between 2017 and 2021, Missouri recorded 258 cases of mesothelioma, reflecting the ongoing health risks associated with asbestos exposure in both residential and occupational settings across the state.
Lung cancer also remains a significant health concern in Missouri, particularly among individuals exposed to asbestos. Between 1999 and 2017, nearly 3,588 Missouri residents died from non-mesothelioma lung cancer. The state's asbestos-related death rate was 4.2 per 100,000 people, slightly lower than the national average of 4.9 per 100,000.
In 2023 alone, approximately 5,760 new cases of lung cancer were reported in Missouri, along with 3,210 deaths.
Asbestos exposure remains a persistent public health issue in Missouri due to legacy industrial use, environmental contamination, and naturally occurring deposits.
Contributing Factors
The World Health Organization classifies asbestos fibers as Class I carcinogens. Prolonged inhalation significantly increases the risk of developing solid tumors, particularly lung cancer. Asbestos-related lung cancer is estimated to occur up to six times more frequently than mesothelioma, making it a major public health concern.
Missouri contains four known Superfund sites where asbestos has been identified. Two former mining operations—a manganese mine in Winona and a copper mine in Astoria—have been linked to asbestos contamination. Natural asbestos deposits are also found in the Ozark Mountains, especially in Iron and St. Francois counties.
Additional contaminated locations include the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, where asbestos debris, lead, and other metals were discovered in groundwater and soil. The Weldon Spring Chemical Plant and Quarry in St. Charles County also exposed workers and residents to asbestos and other hazardous substances.
While asbestos exposure remains the primary cause of mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer, recent research suggests that rising lung cancer rates among never-smokers may also be linked to air pollutants such as PM2.5, radon, and silica.
