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Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Oregon

Asbestos exposure is a well-documented cause of serious illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, creating ongoing health risks for individuals who have lived or worked in Oregon for extended periods. These conditions continue to be a significant concern, accentuating the need to understand their prevalence and impact within the state.

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Oregon

Between 2017 and 2021, Oregon recorded 201 mesothelioma cases, resulting in an age-adjusted incidence rate of 0.8 per 100,000 people.

For lung cancer, Oregon saw 13,516 new cases from 2017 to 2020, with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 47.7 per 100,000 people. In 2023, approximately 3,030 new lung cancer diagnoses were reported, and 1,650 individuals died from the disease.

These statistics highlight the ongoing health risks associated with asbestos exposure and emphasize the importance of continued awareness and prevention efforts throughout Oregon.

Contributing Factors

Asbestos exposure has long been a concern for many Oregon residents and workers. The state has 22 known asbestos sites, including 12 natural deposits and three former asbestos mines.

Workers in industries such as shipbuilding, chemical manufacturing, paper mills, and industrial production have faced significant exposure risks, particularly in the Portland area where shipyards were historically prominent. Several Oregon locations are also listed on the EPA Superfund list due to asbestos contamination.

Both former and current workers in high-risk industries may have been exposed to asbestos, making awareness of ongoing health concerns critical for Oregon residents.

Was I exposed to asbestos in Oregon?

Select a city in oregon-asbestos-lawyers where you or a household member worked to see the jobsites in Oregon 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 for Asbestos Exposure in Oregon

Between 1999 and 2015, more than 700 Oregon residents died from mesothelioma. The state's relatively high mortality rate is linked to widespread occupational exposure and at least 22 known asbestos sites. Clackamas and Multnomah counties have recorded some of the highest asbestos-related death rates.

Shipyard Workers

Oregon's coastal location made it a center for shipbuilding and repair throughout much of the 20th century. Facilities such as Willamette Shipyard, Swan Island Shipyard, Albina Shipyards, and others used asbestos extensively in vessel construction and repair.

Shipyard workers faced some of the highest risks for mesothelioma due to asbestos insulation, piping, and fireproofing materials that released airborne fibers during routine work.

Chemical Plant Workers

Asbestos was widely used in chemical plants for its resistance to heat, electricity, and corrosion. In Oregon, workers at facilities such as ATOFINA Chemicals, Rhone-Poulenc, and Borden Chemical Plant were potentially exposed through machinery, building materials, and protective equipment.

Industrial Workers

Oregon's paper mills and manufacturing facilities relied heavily on asbestos-containing materials. Workers at mills such as the Willamette Paper Mill, Georgia-Pacific Plywood Mill, and St. Helens Pulp and Paper Company were frequently exposed through insulation and equipment.

Other industries, including cement manufacturing, steel production, and energy facilities, also used asbestos for its insulating and heat-resistant properties, often creating hazardous working conditions.

Construction Workers

Construction workers in Oregon, especially in Portland, were exposed to asbestos through common building materials used in homes, schools, and commercial buildings. These materials included floor tiles, popcorn ceilings, roofing shingles, siding, joint compounds, drywall, and insulation.

When these materials were disturbed during construction or renovation, asbestos fibers could become airborne, posing serious health risks.

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Cities in Oregon with Asbestos

There are 159 cities in Oregon that are covered by Asbestos Trust Funds

Landmark Oregon Asbestos Verdicts

Kyung Lee vs. Johnson & Johnson

In June 2024, a jury in Portland awarded $260 million to Oregon resident Kyung Lee, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2023. The case concluded that long-term use of Johnson & Johnson talc products contaminated with asbestos was a likely cause of her illness.

The verdict came amid Johnson & Johnson's broader efforts to resolve thousands of similar lawsuits through a proposed multibillion-dollar bankruptcy settlement fund.

Individual Plaintiff vs. Ameron International Corporation

A former fiberglass pipe factory worker filed an asbestos lawsuit against Ameron International, alleging exposure to crocidolite asbestos beginning in the 1970s. The plaintiff later developed mesothelioma.

Although the plaintiff passed away before trial concluded, his family pursued a wrongful death claim. In 2022, a jury awarded the family $30 million in damages after finding that the company failed to warn workers despite knowing the risks of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Exposure by State

Recognition Received