Asbestos Exposure by State

Asbestos was widely used throughout the United States and Canada for much of the 20th century because it resisted heat, corrosion and electricity. Now, its use is severely restricted or even banned because of the health risks it poses. People in different regions were exposed to different levels of asbestos depending on industrial activity, military operations, mining and construction practices in the region. 

Occupational asbestos exposure

Occupational asbestos exposure affected workers in industries that regularly used insulation, fireproofing and industrial construction materials. Many workers inhaled asbestos fibers over long periods before stricter workplace safety rules were introduced.

• Shipyards and naval facilities: Ships and military infrastructure historically used asbestos insulation and fireproofing materials
• Industrial facilities: Power plants, refineries, steel mills and manufacturing plants frequently used asbestos-containing materials
• Construction sites: Older homes, schools and commercial buildings may still contain asbestos products during renovation or demolition work
• Railroad and automotive industries: Mechanics and industrial workers may have handled asbestos-containing brakes, clutches and insulation materials
• Power Production: coal, electric, and nuclear-powered plants frequently utilized asbestos insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials. 

Many workers exposed to asbestos later developed occupational lung diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related conditions.

Workers and other individuals living in Northeastern states experienced asbestos exposure because of shipbuilding, manufacturing, railroads and other industrial development. Older infrastructure and commercial construction contributed to widespread asbestos use in the region.

Northeastern states with notable asbestos exposure issues include:

• Massachusetts: Shipbuilding and naval facilities
• New Jersey: Refineries, ports and industrial exposure sites
• New York: Older commercial buildings, shipyards and industrial facilities
• Pennsylvania: Steel mills, railroads and manufacturing facilities
• Rhode Island: Shipbuilding and naval operations

Additional Northeastern states report high mesothelioma incidence rates because asbestos was heavily used in industrial and commercial settings throughout the 20th century.

Southern and mid-Atlantic states also experienced asbestos exposure through shipyards, military facilities and industrial construction, and through refineries and chemical plants. Many workers in these industries handled asbestos-containing insulation, machinery and building materials for decades.

• Florida: Shipyards, military facilities and large-scale construction projects.  Many mesothelioma victims in Florida have also relocated from other states where they were exposed.
• Louisiana: Refineries and petrochemical facilities
• South Carolina: Naval facilities and shipyards
• Virginia: Naval shipyards and military facilities
• West Virginia: Mining, chemical facilities and industrial plants

Several Southern states also have large industrial areas where workers were repeatedly exposed to asbestos over long periods of time. Coastal states throughout the south continue to report mesothelioma cases linked to shipbuilding and naval operations.

Many Midwestern states developed manufacturing and industrial economies that relied heavily on asbestos-containing materials throughout the 20th century. Steel production, railroad infrastructure and automotive manufacturing all contributed to occupational asbestos exposure risks.

• Illinois: Industrial facilities and older infrastructure
• Indiana: Steel production and manufacturing operations
• Michigan: Automotive manufacturing and industrial construction
• Ohio: Manufacturing facilities and industrial plants

Western states experienced asbestos exposure through mining activity and industrial operations.

• Colorado: Mining and related activity
• Montana: Mining operations
• Nevada: Mining and construction activity
• Washington: Shipbuilding and industrial activity

Some states continue to report higher mesothelioma incidence and asbestos-related death rates because many industries had used asbestos in the past. Mesothelioma often develops decades after exposure. States with heavy industrial activity during the mid-1900s may continue to see elevated diagnosis and death rates even today. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the states with the highest mesothelioma diagnosis rates are:

• California
• Florida
• Texas
• Pennsylvania
• New York

The states with the highest mesothelioma death rates are:

• Maine
• Washington
• New Jersey
• Montana
• West Virginia

Asbestos laws by state differ in several important ways. The differences can include how states approach asbestos abatement requirements, contractor licensing rules, workplace oversight and filing deadlines for asbestos lawsuits. While federal agencies like Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulate asbestos nationwide, states can enforce additional asbestos safety and removal standards.

Some of the differences between states can include:

• Requiring demolition or renovation projects to have licensed asbestos inspectors and abatement contractors on board before the project begins
• Imposing different notification requirements for asbestos removal projects involving schools, public buildings or commercial properties
• Using public health surveillance programs to reduce asbestos-related health risks

Other states focus more heavily on occupational asbestos exposure tied to shipyards, manufacturing facilities and refineries.

Several states have also adopted different rules affecting asbestos litigation, including:

• Filing deadlines for personal injury and wrongful death claims
• Standards for proving asbestos exposure
• Procedures for asbestos bankruptcy trust claims
• Requirements involving multi-defendant asbestos lawsuits

Some jurisdictions process asbestos lawsuits more quickly because of the serious nature of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Certain states also maintain inactive asbestos dockets or special procedures for handling large asbestos caseloads.

Statute of limitations for asbestos claims

The statutes of limitations for asbestos claims differ by state. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases often develop decades after exposure. Because of this delay, many states apply deadlines that begin when a person is diagnosed rather than when exposure originally occurred.

State laws regarding wrongful death claims, asbestos bankruptcy trust claims and where lawsuits may be filed may be different. In some situations, people diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases may qualify to pursue compensation through lawsuits, settlements or asbestos bankruptcy trust claims. The choice will depend on where exposure happened and which companies may have been responsible.

Motley Rice attorneys have worked for decades to hold companies accountable for asbestos-related deaths and illnesses. We know how to navigate the medical, regulatory and legal challenges these toxic exposure claims can involve. Our attorneys will continue to fight for justice for asbestos exposure victims and their surviving loved ones.

Read more on our asbestos exposure litigation experience.