Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Wyoming (WY)

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Wyoming (WY)

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue that surrounds internal organs. Continuous exposure to asbestos fibers causes scarring in these tissues, which can develop into cancerous tumors. This process can lead to mesothelioma as well as other forms of cancer.

According to CDC statistics, the age-adjusted rate of mesothelioma in Wyoming between 2017 and 2021 was 0.7 per 100,000 people, with 27 new cases reported.

Lung cancer is another serious disease linked to asbestos exposure. In 2023, an estimated 330 new lung cancer cases and 200 deaths were reported in Wyoming.

Between 2017 and 2021, the age-adjusted lung cancer rate in Wyoming was 39.2 per 100,000 people, with 1,462 new cases reported. In 2024, the new lung cancer rate was 39.5, significantly lower than the national average of 53.6. Wyoming ranks fifth in the United States for lung cancer incidence, placing it above the national average tier. Over the past five years, the rate of new cancer cases in the state has remained relatively stable.

Asbestos exposure has had long-lasting health consequences for workers and communities across Wyoming, particularly in industries that relied heavily on asbestos-containing materials.

Contributing Factors

Wyoming's industrial history has played a major role in asbestos exposure, particularly in industries such as oil refineries, power plants, and vermiculite processing facilities. Many of these sites used asbestos-containing materials for insulation and construction, especially in buildings constructed before the 1970s.

Vermiculite processing plants handled asbestos-contaminated materials from the W.R. Grace mine, exposing workers to hazardous fibers. Workers in refineries and power plants were also at risk due to widespread asbestos insulation around high-temperature equipment. Maintenance, repair, and renovation activities frequently disturbed asbestos materials, increasing airborne exposure.

Together, these factors increased the likelihood of asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer among workers and nearby residents. Smoking further elevates the risk of lung cancer in individuals exposed to asbestos.

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 Wyoming (WY)

Although Wyoming reports fewer asbestos-related deaths than many other states, a significant number of these fatalities are directly linked to occupational exposure. Numerous worksites throughout the state, including oil refineries, power plants, chemical facilities, and schools, have contributed to worker exposure.

Oil Refinery Workers

Wyoming has extensive petroleum resources and has been home to several oil refineries, including Husky Oil Company and Frontier Refining Company in Cheyenne. Other companies such as Sinclair Oil, Fargo Oil, Mutual Oil Company, Consumer Oil, and Continental Oil also operated within the state.

Refineries relied heavily on asbestos in buildings, machinery, protective equipment, and insulation. This widespread use placed hundreds of refinery workers at risk of prolonged asbestos exposure.

Power Plant Workers

Power plants commonly used asbestos for its heat- and fire-resistant properties, particularly in boilers and insulation systems. Facilities such as Black Hills Power and Light Company in Wyodak, Hot Springs Light and Power Company in Thermopolis, and Pacific Power Company in Green River are known locations where workers may have been exposed.

Chemical Plant Workers

Chemical plants, including the Stauffer Chemical Plant and Allied Chemical Plant, have been associated with asbestos exposure. These facilities produced soda ash, a key industrial material.

Along the Green River Basin, which is rich in trona deposits, additional soda ash producers operated and frequently used asbestos due to its ability to withstand extreme heat. Workers in these plants were regularly exposed to airborne asbestos fibers, increasing their risk of mesothelioma and other serious illnesses.

Vermiculite processing plants in Wyoming also posed significant risks, especially those handling asbestos-contaminated materials from Libby, Montana. The dust generated during processing created hazardous conditions, often without adequate safety protections.

Construction Workers

Schools and universities across Wyoming have been potential sources of asbestos exposure, particularly during renovation or demolition projects. In some cases, improper cleanup left asbestos residues behind, exposing workers, students, and staff.

Older buildings throughout the state frequently contain asbestos in insulation, flooring tiles, and other materials. Construction workers involved in repairs or renovations often encountered disturbed asbestos fibers, putting them at elevated health risk.

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Cities in Wyoming with Asbestos

There are 88 cities in Wyoming that are covered by Asbestos Trust Funds

Landmark Wyoming (WY) Asbestos Verdict

In February 2020, the Natrona County School District Board of Trustees in Casper approved a $230,000 settlement in an asbestos-related lawsuit involving Kelly Walsh High School.

The lawsuit focused on asbestos exposure at the school, where a plaintiff encountered asbestos while working onsite. Evidence confirmed the presence of asbestos-containing materials within the school environment.

While the school district stated that the settlement did not represent an admission of liability, the decision was made to avoid higher legal costs. The identity of the plaintiff and the exact timeframe of exposure were not disclosed.