Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Ohio

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Ohio

Mesothelioma is a life-threatening disease caused by prolonged exposure to fibrous asbestos minerals. According to CDC data, Ohio recorded 595 mesothelioma cases between 2017 and 2021, with an age-adjusted rate of 0.8 per 100,000 people.

During the same period, the age-adjusted rate of lung cancer in Ohio was 64.3 per 100,000 people, with 50,596 new lung cancer cases. In 2023, an estimated 10,680 new cases of lung cancer and 5,739 associated deaths were reported statewide.

The new lung cancer rate in Ohio is 64.6, which is higher than the national average of 53.6. The state ranks 43rd in the United States, placing it above the below-average tier. Over the past five years, the rate of new cases has increased by 9%.

Ohio's industrial legacy has left a lasting impact on public health, exposing generations of workers and families to asbestos-related diseases.

Contributing Factors

One of the primary contributing factors to mesothelioma in Ohio is workplace asbestos exposure. Although Ohio has few natural asbestos deposits, the material was widely used across numerous industries and facilities throughout the state.

Older oil refineries and steel companies, particularly in Cleveland, used asbestos for insulating buildings and equipment. Many older school buildings also contain asbestos, posing risks to teachers, staff, and students. Coal-fired power plants across Ohio commonly used asbestos in doors, insulation, gaskets, and pipes.

Ohio is home to several EPA-designated Superfund sites, including the American Shipbuilding Company in Cleveland, where asbestos was frequently used in shipbuilding. Workplace exposure occurred across most major cities, often affecting workers' families as well. Smoking further increases the risk of developing lung cancer.