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Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Pennsylvania (PA)

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Pennsylvania

Microscopic asbestos fibers, when ingested or inhaled, can become lodged in the thin outer layers of organs. Over time, these fibers may cause cancerous growth in the mesothelial layers, leading to mesothelioma.

According to CDC statistics, the age-adjusted rate of mesothelioma in Pennsylvania between 2017 and 2021 was 0.9 per 100,000 people, with 797 new cases reported.

Pennsylvania has one of the highest mesothelioma death rates in the United States, largely due to occupational asbestos exposure.

Most asbestos exposure cases in Pennsylvania stem from workplace exposure and environmental factors. Asbestos exposure also significantly increases the risk of lung cancer.

In 2023, an estimated 11,320 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer were reported in Pennsylvania, resulting in approximately 5,720 deaths.

From 2017 to 2021, the age-adjusted lung cancer rate in Pennsylvania was 57.8 per 100,000 people, with 52,996 new cases reported. The state's lung cancer rate exceeds the national average, although there has been a 16% improvement over the past five years.

Was I exposed to asbestos in Pennsylvania?

Select a city in pennsylvania-asbestos-lawyers where you or a household member worked to see the jobsites in Pennsylvania 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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Contributing Factors

Certain regions in Pennsylvania are considered high-risk due to historical asbestos mining activities. In the early 1900s, naturally occurring asbestos was mined at locations such as The Rockdale (Jacob Side's), The Village Green, Gladwyne Quarries, and Smedley's asbestos mine.

Occupational exposure has been particularly high among miners, shipyard workers, teachers, construction workers, steel workers, demolition crews, and military personnel. Facilities such as the Harrisburg National Air Guard Base also contributed to asbestos exposure.

Smoking further increases the risk of developing lung cancer in individuals exposed to asbestos.

High-Risk Occupations for Asbestos Exposure in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has the second-highest mesothelioma death rate in the United States, with 41 asbestos mines posing ongoing risks. Urban centers such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have been especially affected.

Shipbuilding Workers

Although Pennsylvania has a limited coastline, the Delaware River and Great Lakes access supported major shipbuilding operations. Workers at facilities such as Hog Island Shipyard, Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, William Cramp and Sons, and the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard were frequently exposed to asbestos.

Steelworkers

Pittsburgh became a national hub for steel production in the 20th century. Asbestos was widely used in steel mills to protect against extreme heat. Facilities such as Bethlehem Steel Mill, National Steel Company, Pittsburgh Steel Foundry, and Aliquippa Steel Company exposed workers during welding, cutting, and machinery maintenance.

Additional exposure occurred at Allegheny Ludlum Corporation and AK Steel's Butler plant, where asbestos was present in tools, insulation, and protective equipment.

Railroad Workers

Erie, Pennsylvania, played a key role in railroad expansion and locomotive production. Companies such as Pennsylvania Railroad and General Electric Transportation Systems exposed workers to asbestos during engine manufacturing and repair.

Chemical Plant Workers

Employees at Neville Chemical Co. faced asbestos exposure due to its use in buildings, machinery, and safety gear. Affected roles included process engineers, maintenance staff, chemical technicians, and machine operators.

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Cities in Pennsylvania with Asbestos

There are 1402 cities in Pennsylvania that are covered by Asbestos Trust Funds

Landmark Pennsylvania Asbestos Verdicts

Harry Chirdon vs. Foster Wheeler Corporation

Harry Chirdon worked as a boilermaker for nearly a decade, including time at Foster Wheeler, a manufacturer of industrial boilers. He was later diagnosed with mesothelioma and underwent lung surgery.

A jury found Foster Wheeler responsible for failing to comply with OSHA regulations and awarded Chirdon $3.8 million in compensation.

Edward Merwitz vs. Nine Asbestos Manufacturing Companies

Edward Merwitz worked at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in the late 1960s, handling asbestos-containing materials without protective equipment or warnings.

Diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2010, Merwitz passed away the same year. A Philadelphia jury found nine manufacturers liable, ultimately awarding a combined $7.2 million in wrongful death and survival damages to his family.

Asbestos Exposure by State

Recognition Received