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Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Virginia (VA)

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Virginia

Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that develops in the tissues lining vital organs such as the lungs, heart, and abdomen. Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers is the primary cause of mesothelioma. According to CDC statistics, the age-adjusted rate of mesothelioma in Virginia between 2017 and 2021 was 0.9 per 100,000 people, with 446 new cases reported.

Occupational and environmental asbestos exposure remains a major contributor to mesothelioma cases in Virginia.

Lung cancer is another serious disease linked to asbestos exposure. In 2023, an estimated 6,010 new lung and bronchus cancer cases were reported in Virginia, and approximately 3,320 people died from the disease during the same year.

Between 2017 and 2021, the age-adjusted lung cancer rate in Virginia was 51.3 per 100,000 people, with 27,307 new cases reported. In 2024, the rate increased slightly to 51.6 per 100,000 people, which remains lower than the national average of 53.6. Virginia ranks 17th nationally for lung cancer incidence, placing it in the average tier, with a 12% improvement rate over the last five years.

Occupational and environmental exposure to asbestos continues to pose serious long-term health risks for workers and residents across Virginia.

Contributing Factors

Virginia contains significant natural asbestos deposits, particularly in regions surrounding the Appalachian Mountains. Northern Virginia is especially affected, with environmental exposure risks highest in areas such as Newport News City, Alexandria City, Hampton City, Virginia Beach City, Fairfax County, York County, and Augusta County.

Virginia's coastal location and proximity to major naval installations, including Naval Station Norfolk, have also increased asbestos exposure risks. The Navy historically used asbestos-containing materials extensively. Occupations such as carpentry, construction, automotive repair, firefighting, roofing, demolition, and shipbuilding face elevated exposure risks. Smoking further increases the likelihood of developing asbestos-related lung cancer.

Was I exposed to asbestos in Virginia?

Select a city in virginia-asbestos-lawyers where you or a household member worked to see the jobsites in Virginia 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

LEAD ASBESTOS ATTORNEYS

Ryan G. Dickherber

John F. Theil

High-Risk Occupations for Asbestos Exposure in Virginia

Virginia ranks 10th in the United States for mesothelioma-related deaths. Asbestos was widely used in construction, insulation, mining, military bases, shipyards, and aircraft manufacturing, placing thousands of workers at risk.

Navy Veterans

Virginia is home to the world's largest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk, which supports dozens of ships, aircraft, and facilities. Asbestos was commonly used aboard ships and submarines for fireproofing and insulation, leading to widespread exposure among Navy personnel. Additional contaminated sites include Little Creek Naval Base, Lyon Shipyard, Colonna's Shipyard, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and Newport News Naval Shipyard.

Shipyard Workers

Shipyard workers were heavily exposed to asbestos because of its fire-resistant and insulating properties. The material was used throughout ships, including pipes, boilers, and engine rooms. Workers involved in ship construction, maintenance, and repair at facilities such as Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Newport News Shipbuilding faced consistent exposure.

Chemical Plant Workers

Several major chemical plants in Virginia historically used asbestos due to its heat-resistant properties. Facilities such as General Chemical Company in Fort Royal, Allied Chemical Corporation in Chesterfield, DuPont Chemical Plant in Richmond, and the Firestone Plant in Hopewell contributed to occupational exposure.

Power Plant Workers

Power plants across Virginia also exposed workers to asbestos through insulation and machinery components. Notable sites include Dutch Gap Power Plant in Chesterfield, Hercules Power Company in Peppers, American Electric Power Company in Glen Lyn, and Virginia Electric and Power in Richmond.

Industrial Workers

Paper mills in Virginia exposed workers to asbestos through drying felts and adhesives used in pulp processing. High-risk facilities included Owens-Illinois Paper Mill in Big Island, Saint Laurent Paper in West Point, and Westvaco Paper Mill in Covington. Secondary exposure often affected workers' families as well.

Refinery Workers

Employees at the American Oil Company Refinery in Yorktown encountered asbestos in insulation materials, facility structures, machinery, and protective gear.

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Cities in Virginia with Asbestos

There are 291 cities in Virginia that are covered by Asbestos Trust Funds

Trust Funds for Virginia Asbestos Victims

Asbestos trust funds were established to fairly compensate individuals affected by asbestos exposure. One notable Virginia-based trust is the C.E. Thurston & Sons Asbestos Trust.

C.E. Thurston & Sons Asbestos Trust

The trust was created after C.E. Thurston & Sons, Inc. filed for bankruptcy in 2003. Founded in 1919, the company specialized in insulation and refractory installation for marine, commercial, and industrial clients. The trust was established in 2006 with initial funding of $53 million.

Landmark Virginia Asbestos Verdict

Patricia Coffey Katcham vs. John Crane

In October 2024, the Virginia 7th Judicial Circuit Court in Newport News awarded $3.45 million to Patricia Coffey Katcham. Her husband, James C. Katcham, developed mesothelioma after occupational exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured by John Crane, leading to his death.

Asbestos Exposure by State

Recognition Received