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Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Wisconsin (WI)

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Wisconsin

Inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers is extremely harmful. These tiny particles can become lodged in the thin outer lining of internal organs such as the lungs and heart. Over time, scarred tissue can develop into cancerous tumors, leading to a fatal disease known as mesothelioma.

According to CDC statistics, the age-adjusted rate of mesothelioma in Wisconsin between 2017 and 2021 was 1.0 per 100,000 people, with 379 new cases reported.

Wisconsin has historically experienced high levels of asbestos exposure due to industrial operations such as energy production, paper manufacturing, and shipbuilding.

Lung cancer is another serious disease linked to asbestos exposure. In 2023, an estimated 4,630 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer were reported in Wisconsin, and approximately 2,460 people died from the disease during the same period.

Between 2017 and 2021, Wisconsin recorded an age-adjusted lung cancer rate of 55.7 per 100,000 people, with 21,987 new cases. In 2024, the lung cancer incidence rate rose to 56.2, exceeding the national average of 53.6.

Wisconsin's long industrial history has left a lasting public health impact, with asbestos exposure continuing to affect workers, residents, and families across generations.

Was I exposed to asbestos in Wisconsin?

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

The risk of asbestos exposure in Wisconsin is closely tied to its industrial past, particularly power plants and paper mills. Workers in construction, factories, excavation, drilling, crane operations, boiler maintenance, and geology have faced significant exposure.

The paper industry used asbestos extensively to insulate machinery. Major manufacturers relied on asbestos-containing materials for decades, exposing workers as early as the late 19th century.

Older schools and residential buildings containing asbestos materials have also placed teachers, students, staff, and residents at risk. Smoking further increases the likelihood of developing asbestos-related lung diseases.

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Cities in Wisconsin with Asbestos

There are 304 cities in Wisconsin that are covered by Asbestos Trust Funds

High-Risk Occupations for Asbestos Exposure in Wisconsin

Wisconsin ranks 16th in the United States for asbestos-related deaths. The widespread use of asbestos dates back to the 1800s due to its heat resistance and low cost.

Industrial Workers

Industrial facilities such as paper mills and chemical plants used asbestos in pipe insulation, adhesives, and drying felts. These materials required frequent handling, exposing workers and those nearby to airborne asbestos fibers.

Construction Workers

Buildings constructed before the 1980s often contain asbestos in roofing, ceiling tiles, flooring, and insulation. Workers repairing or maintaining these structures face a high risk of exposure and may unintentionally carry fibers home on their clothing.

Power Plant Workers

Power plants across Wisconsin used asbestos in boilers, turbines, and piping systems. Workers responsible for maintaining or repairing this equipment were routinely exposed to airborne fibers.

Shipyard Workers

Several Wisconsin shipyards have been linked to asbestos exposure, particularly during the construction and repair of naval and commercial vessels. Asbestos was commonly used in insulation and ship components for decades.

Landmark Wisconsin Asbestos Verdict

Sarah Krentz & Korey Krentz v. Motor Castings

Sarah Krentz, a Wisconsin resident, died from mesothelioma at the age of 39 after being exposed to asbestos as a child through secondary exposure from a family member's work clothing.

A lawsuit filed in 2017 resulted in a 2023 jury verdict finding nine of eleven defendants liable. The court awarded $9.7 million in compensation to her family.

Violation of the Clean Air Act and Federal Fine

In 2012, managers at a Wisconsin manufacturing plant allowed employees to remove asbestos-containing insulation without protective equipment. A federal investigation led to convictions for violating the Clean Air Act.

The company was fined $200,000 and agreed to pay an additional $340,000 to assist affected workers with medical expenses.

Asbestos Exposure by State

Recognition Received