Asbestos Exposure by State

When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed, asbestos fibers are released into the air. People in or near the area contaminated with released fibers could inhale them. Over time, the fibers can accumulate in the lungs and lead to the development of various asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Some industries may be impacted by asbestos exposure more than others, and some states have higher exposure potential. Higher-risk industries include construction, shipbuilding, mining and the military. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned chrysotile asbestos in 2024. But, during the time it was used, workers may have experienced various levels of asbestos exposure. Occupational asbestos exposure accounts for a high percentage of annual mesothelioma diagnoses and deaths.

State asbestos regulations

Federal laws regarding asbestos must be followed nationwide. Individual states also have the right to establish their own asbestos regulations. These regulations are usually administered through state departments of environmental protection or health. These regulations often include training protocols and guidelines for those who handle and use asbestos-containing materials. The regulations address limits of exposure, disposal guidelines and other safety and procedural guidelines.

For example, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health manages the training and certification for contractors, consultants and technicians who work at job sites with asbestos materials.

Every state has different asbestos exposure risks depending on a variety of factors, such as natural asbestos and whether asbestos mines were located in these states.

States with historically high levels of asbestos production include:

• California: Previously home to 25 former asbestos mines, 138 sites with described asbestos mineralization and 55 talc deposits
• Georgia: Previously home to 17 asbestos mines and has naturally occurring asbestos
• Maine: Known for having naturally occurring asbestos in the environment
• Maryland: Previously home to four asbestos mines and has naturally occurring asbestos
• New Jersey: Known for having naturally occurring asbestos in the environment
• New York: Known for having naturally occurring asbestos in the environment
• North Carolina: Previously home to 27 asbestos mines and has naturally occurring asbestos
• Pennsylvania: Previously home to four asbestos mines and has naturally occurring asbestos
• Virginia: Previously home to two asbestos mines and has naturally occurring asbestos
• Washington: Previously home to two asbestos mines and has naturally occurring asbestos

Another state notable for asbestos production is Montana. Libby, Montana, is well known because of the asbestos company W.R. Grace & Company. The company mined asbestos-tainted vermiculite (used widely in insulation) until 1990. An estimated 400 people died and 1,750 became sick from the asbestos-contaminated dust that was released from this mine. The EPA has spent millions of dollars attempting to eliminate the toxic exposure in the city of Libby, Montana.

Figuring out if you’ve been exposed to asbestos in your state will start with knowing the areas where exposure could’ve occurred. Workplace exposure, secondhand exposure from others, or exposure through the environment are all potential risk areas.

No amount of asbestos exposure is safe. Even brief forms of exposure could cause an asbestos-related disease to develop. Exposure to asbestos may lead to mesothelioma, which is a rare form of cancer that may not develop for decades after exposure. Mesothelioma is only caused by asbestos exposure.

According to CDC data, the 10 states with the highest number of mesothelioma cases from 1999 to 2022 (ranked in order) were:

1. California
2. Florida
3. New York
4. Pennsylvania
5. Texas
6. Illinois
7. Ohio
8. New Jersey
9. Michigan
10. Massachusetts

The 10 states with the highest number of mesothelioma-related deaths from 2018 to 2023 (ranked in order) were:

1. California
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. Pennsylvania
5. New York
6. Ohio
7. Illinois
8. Michigan
9. New Jersey
10. Virginia

If you or someone you love was diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease after being exposed to asbestos, you may be eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit. To learn if you can file this type of legal action, you should talk to an attorney who can help you determine your eligibility. If you are eligible to file a lawsuit, your lawyer will:

• Request proper medical documentation of your asbestos-related illness
• Build a detailed asbestos exposure history detailing how, where and when the exposure occurred
• File the asbestos lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations, depending on the state

Lawyers can also help figure out if an individual lawsuit or a bankruptcy trust claim is better suited for your specific case. Individual lawsuits are filed directly against the asbestos product manufacturers, while bankruptcy trust claims are filed with asbestos trusts that were established to compensate exposure victims. In many cases, people who were exposed to asbestos products made by multiple companies may be able to file claims with multiple trusts plus a lawsuit.

Which state has the highest rates of asbestos exposure?

It is difficult to determine rates of asbestos exposure. However, we can look at asbestos-related disease incidence and mortality to get an idea. California has the largest number of mesothelioma diagnoses and deaths, according to CDC data. However, when compared against state populations, Maine has the highest rates of mesothelioma diagnoses and deaths, likely because of its long history of being home to shipbuilding industries.

Is asbestos still being used in any states today?

In 2024, the EPA banned chrysotile asbestos in the United States, which was the only form of asbestos being used. While new products no longer contain asbestos, it may still be present in older asbestos products and materials. It is also still used in the chlor-alkali industry.

How do I know if I’ve been exposed to asbestos in my state?

Knowing if you’ve been exposed to asbestos begins with figuring out where you could’ve been exposed – including all your workplaces. Your legal team can help you research and document your workplace history to confirm the potential presence of asbestos. It’s also important to get regular medical screenings to monitor for the progression of any asbestos-related diseases.

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.

In addition to litigation efforts, Motley Rice supports broader asbestos awareness and prevention efforts and aligns with organizations such as the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) and the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMIG), which play critical roles in advocacy, education, and advancing medical research related to mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases.