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Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in North Dakota

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in North Dakota

Lung cancer and mesothelioma are serious diseases caused by asbestos exposure. These illnesses remain a concern for individuals who have lived or worked in North Dakota for many years.

Between 2017 and 2021, the state reported 33 mesothelioma cases, a relatively low figure compared to other U.S. states. The age-adjusted incidence rate was 0.7 per 100,000 people, which may be influenced by the state's smaller population and geographic remoteness.

Lung cancer statistics show a higher impact. From 2017 to 2020, there were 2,562 new lung cancer cases, with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 55.7 per 100,000 people. In 2023 alone, approximately 530 individuals were diagnosed, and 290 deaths were attributed to lung cancer.

Although overall numbers are lower than in many states, the risk remains significant, particularly for workers in high-risk industries such as oil refining, power generation, and vermiculite processing.

Even relatively low asbestos-related disease rates do not eliminate the danger for workers and families exposed over long periods of time.

Was I exposed to asbestos in North Dakota?

Select a city in north-dakota-asbestos-lawyers where you or a household member worked to see the jobsites in North Dakota 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.

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Contributing Factors

Asbestos exposure in North Dakota is notable despite the absence of natural asbestos deposits. Industrial operations and unique geographic factors have contributed to exposure risks throughout the state.

Industries such as power plants, oil refineries, and vermiculite processing facilities have historically used asbestos-containing materials. Military installations, including missile silos, have also played a role in occupational exposure.

Counties including Mercer, McLean, Oliver, Morton, and Dunn report higher mesothelioma mortality rates, highlighting regional disparities. While only two sites in North Dakota are listed on the U.S. EPA Superfund registry, at least one is believed to have involved asbestos contamination.

Long-term exposure, whether direct or secondary, significantly increases the risk of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer, underscoring the importance of prevention and awareness.

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Cities in North Dakota with Asbestos

There are 69 cities in North Dakota that are covered by Asbestos Trust Funds

High-Risk Occupations for Asbestos Exposure in North Dakota

Industrial Workers

Hundreds of workers were exposed to asbestos at the Robinson Insulation Plant in Minot between 1967 and 1983. During this period, asbestos-contaminated vermiculite was heavily used, placing both employees and nearby residents at risk.

Asbestos-laden vermiculite was also shipped to Stanton, expanding the scope of exposure beyond the original worksite.

Power Plant Workers

Asbestos exposure occurred at several major power plants in North Dakota, including Stanton Powerhouse, United Power, and Coyote Station. Additional exposure risks were identified at the Grand Forks Gas and Electric Company and Northern States Power Company.

Asbestos was commonly used as insulation in boilers, turbines, generators, and gaskets, increasing the likelihood of inhalation during maintenance and repair work.

Oil Refinery Workers

At the BP Amoco refinery in Mandan, asbestos was widely used for fire prevention and insulation. Workers were exposed to airborne fibers that later contributed to illnesses such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Similar exposure risks were present at the American Oil Refinery and Standard Oil facilities, further contributing to asbestos-related health conditions in the state.

Trust Funds for North Dakota Asbestos Victims

Many companies named in asbestos lawsuits have established trust funds to compensate individuals harmed by asbestos exposure.

API, Inc. Asbestos Settlement Trust

Established in 2007 with an initial value of $94 million, the API, Inc. Asbestos Settlement Trust provides compensation for eligible workers and families in North Dakota and several neighboring states.

The company manufactured asbestos-containing insulation products until the 1970s, exposing tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians, pipefitters, and construction workers, as well as their family members, to dangerous asbestos fibers.

Landmark North Dakota Asbestos Verdicts

North Dakota has seen several significant settlements awarded to victims of mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases.

Notable verdicts include multimillion-dollar awards to military veterans, industrial workers, and individuals exposed through secondary contact, reflecting the serious long-term consequences of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Exposure by State

Recognition Received