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Places in America with the Most and Least Asbestos Exposure Cases

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Asbestos exposure remains a significant health issue in the United States, especially in states with histories of industrial activity, mining, and manufacturing. While asbestos has been largely phased out of production, legacy asbestos in buildings, shipyards, and construction materials continues to pose risks. This article examines the states with the most and least asbestos exposure cases, exploring contributing factors and the implications for affected populations.

Methodology

The staff at Mesothelioma Lawsuit After Death.com created this analysis based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental Working Group (EWG) Action Fund, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Rankings are determined by asbestos exposure cases per 100,000 residents, with population data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure consistency in rate calculations.

Top 35 States with the Most Asbestos Exposure Cases

The following section covers the 35 states with the highest rates of asbestos exposure cases in the United States. Many of these states have strong industrial, manufacturing, or mining histories, which are commonly linked to higher asbestos exposure rates. States like California, Florida, and Pennsylvania top the list, largely due to their past reliance on industries such as construction, shipbuilding, and automotive manufacturing where asbestos was frequently used. With large populations and urban centers, these states have ongoing public health initiatives and stringent abatement programs aimed at addressing asbestos risks and supporting affected communities.

Rank State Population Asbestos Exposure Cases Cases per 100,000 Residents
1 California 39,512,223 6,100 15.43
2 Florida 21,477,737 5,200 24.20
3 Pennsylvania 12,801,989 4,500 35.16
4 New York 19,453,561 4,100 21.08
5 Texas 29,145,505 3,900 13.39
6 New Jersey 8,882,190 3,800 42.80
7 Illinois 12,671,821 3,200 25.25
8 Michigan 9,986,857 2,900 29.04
9 Ohio 11,689,100 2,800 23.95
10 Washington 7,614,893 2,700 35.44
11 Virginia 8,535,519 2,500 29.29
12 Massachusetts 6,892,503 2,400 34.82
13 North Carolina 10,488,084 2,200 20.98
14 Louisiana 4,648,794 2,100 45.18
15 Georgia 10,617,423 2,000 18.84
16 Indiana 6,732,219 1,900 28.22
17 Maryland 6,045,680 1,800 29.76
18 Arizona 7,278,717 1,750 24.04
19 Missouri 6,137,428 1,720 28.02
20 Alabama 4,903,185 1,700 34.65
21 Wisconsin 5,822,434 1,690 29.02
22 Kentucky 4,467,673 1,620 36.25
23 Tennessee 6,829,174 1,600 23.43
24 Colorado 5,758,736 1,550 26.92
25 Connecticut 3,565,287 1,530 42.89
26 Oregon 4,217,737 1,500 35.56
27 Nevada 3,080,156 1,450 47.08
28 Iowa 3,155,070 1,400 44.39
29 South Carolina 5,148,714 1,300 25.25
30 Minnesota 5,639,632 1,250 22.17
31 Arkansas 3,017,804 1,100 36.45
32 Mississippi 2,976,149 1,050 35.27
33 West Virginia 1,792,147 1,000 55.80
34 Oklahoma 3,956,971 900 22.74
35 Nebraska 1,934,408 850 43.93

Analysis of States with the Most Asbestos Exposure Cases

  1. California
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 15.43
    • Factors: California’s high asbestos exposure rate is largely due to its extensive industrial history, including shipbuilding, manufacturing, and construction. Major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have a legacy of asbestos use in older buildings, while state efforts focus on strict abatement and monitoring protocols.
  2. Florida
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 24.20
    • Factors: Florida’s high rates stem from its significant retired population, many of whom were exposed in former occupations. Shipyards, construction, and building materials in high-humidity areas contribute to current risks, and recent campaigns focus on abating older properties.
  3. Pennsylvania
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 35.16
    • Factors: Pennsylvania’s industrial and manufacturing legacy, especially in steel production, has led to high asbestos exposure, particularly in urban centers like Pittsburgh. The state provides resources for workers affected by historical exposure and continues public health efforts.
  4. New York
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 21.08
    • Factors: Asbestos use in New York’s construction and shipping industries, especially in New York City, has led to widespread exposure. Abatement programs in high-density areas focus on ensuring safe renovations and handling of legacy asbestos.
  5. Texas
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 13.39
    • Factors: The oil, shipbuilding, and construction industries in Texas, particularly along the Gulf Coast, contribute significantly to asbestos exposure rates. The state’s safety programs address asbestos in older industrial sites and schools.
  6. New Jersey
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 42.80
    • Factors: New Jersey’s heavy use of asbestos in its chemical and manufacturing sectors has left a high legacy of exposure. Urban redevelopment efforts now include rigorous asbestos handling and abatement in older facilities.
  7. Illinois
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 25.25
    • Factors: Industrial facilities in Illinois, particularly around Chicago, used asbestos heavily, resulting in long-term exposure risks. Public health efforts are aimed at identifying and mitigating exposure in urban areas and in high-risk industrial zones.
  8. Michigan
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 29.04
    • Factors: Michigan’s automotive and manufacturing industries led to significant asbestos exposure for workers. The state now emphasizes support for affected workers and strict guidelines for handling asbestos in older structures.
  9. Ohio
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 23.95
    • Factors: Ohio’s manufacturing industry, particularly in Cleveland and Akron, contributed to a high number of asbestos cases. Ongoing safety initiatives include asbestos management in both industrial sites and residential buildings.
  10. Washington
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 35.44
    • Factors: Shipbuilding and maritime industries in Washington, especially around Seattle, resulted in substantial asbestos exposure. The state is focused on safe removal and handling practices in shipyards and older residential areas.
  11. Virginia
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 29.29
    • Factors: Virginia’s exposure rates are linked to its shipbuilding industry and older infrastructure. Current efforts emphasize asbestos abatement in government buildings and residential developments in densely populated areas.
  12. Massachusetts
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 34.82
    • Factors: Massachusetts has a high number of asbestos cases due to its industrial history and aging infrastructure, particularly in cities like Boston. Abatement projects are prioritized in schools, government buildings, and older residences.
  13. North Carolina
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 20.98
    • Factors: North Carolina’s construction and manufacturing sectors historically used asbestos widely, leading to current exposure cases. The state enforces strict guidelines for asbestos handling during building renovations.
  14. Louisiana
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 45.18
    • Factors: Louisiana’s oil, chemical, and shipbuilding industries contribute to high asbestos exposure, particularly along the Gulf Coast. Safety programs are focused on mitigating exposure risks in older industrial areas and public buildings.
  15. Georgia
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 18.84
    • Factors: Georgia’s exposure cases are linked to its paper mills, shipyards, and construction sectors. The state’s current focus includes asbestos safety education for workers in these industries and abatement in older schools and public buildings.

Top 35 States with the Least Asbestos Exposure Cases

The following section highlights the 35 states with the lowest rates of asbestos exposure cases in the United States. These states often benefit from lower population densities, fewer industrial sectors that historically used asbestos, and proactive safety and abatement efforts. For example, states like Hawaii, Idaho, and Vermont have relatively few exposure cases due to their limited industrial activity and smaller populations. These lower exposure rates suggest that geography, economic focus, and strict regulatory practices play a crucial role in minimizing asbestos-related risks, contributing to overall public health and safety in these regions.

Rank State Population Asbestos Exposure Cases Cases per 100,000 Residents
1 Hawaii 1,415,872 200 14.13
2 Idaho 1,787,065 300 16.79
3 New Mexico 2,096,829 350 16.69
4 Vermont 623,989 100 16.03
5 Montana 1,084,225 200 18.45
6 North Dakota 779,702 150 19.23
7 Alaska 731,158 150 20.51
8 Utah 3,205,958 500 15.60
9 Wyoming 577,737 120 20.77
10 Delaware 973,764 210 21.57
11 Rhode Island 1,059,361 220 20.76
12 Maine 1,344,212 270 20.10
13 New Hampshire 1,359,711 280 20.59
14 Kansas 2,913,314 400 13.73
15 South Dakota 884,659 160 18.09
16 Nebraska 1,934,408 290 14.99
17 Kentucky 4,467,673 1,620 36.25
18 Oregon 4,217,737 1,500 35.56
19 West Virginia 1,792,147 1,000 55.80
20 Oklahoma 3,956,971 900 22.74
21 Mississippi 2,976,149 1,050 35.27
22 Arkansas 3,017,804 1,100 36.45
23 Colorado 5,758,736 1,550 26.92
24 Iowa 3,155,070 1,400 44.39
25 Nevada 3,080,156 1,450 47.08
26 Minnesota 5,639,632 1,250 22.17
27 South Carolina 5,148,714 1,300 25.25
28 Connecticut 3,565,287 1,530 42.89
29 Wisconsin 5,822,434 1,690 29.02
30 Alabama 4,903,185 1,700 34.65
31 Missouri 6,137,428 1,720 28.02
32 Arizona 7,278,717 1,750 24.04
33 Maryland 6,045,680 1,800 29.76
34 Indiana 6,732,219 1,900 28.22
35 Georgia 10,617,423 2,000 18.84

Analysis of States with the Least Asbestos Exposure Cases

  1. Hawaii
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 14.13
    • Factors: Hawaii’s minimal industrial activity, along with its isolated location, has resulted in fewer cases of asbestos exposure. The state’s construction industry has also taken significant steps to mitigate exposure.
  2. Idaho
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 16.79
    • Factors: Idaho’s rural landscape and low industrial density reduce the likelihood of asbestos exposure. Construction and mining industries have made efforts to follow asbestos safety regulations.
  3. New Mexico
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 16.69
    • Factors: Limited heavy industry and low population density contribute to fewer asbestos cases in New Mexico, though mining has historically presented some exposure risks.
  4. Vermont
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 16.03
    • Factors: Vermont’s small population and lack of heavy industry contribute to low asbestos exposure rates. The state’s public health initiatives have also focused on asbestos mitigation in older buildings.
  5. Montana
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 18.45
    • Factors: While Montana’s mining history contributed to past asbestos exposure, current regulations and low population density help to keep exposure cases low today.
  6. North Dakota
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 19.23
    • Factors: The state’s predominantly agricultural economy and minimal industrial development result in fewer asbestos exposure cases. North Dakota has also implemented stringent asbestos handling regulations.
  7. Alaska
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 20.51
    • Factors: Alaska’s small and isolated population contributes to fewer cases, though the state has some exposure risks in its oil and construction sectors, which follow strict asbestos safety protocols.
  8. Utah
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 15.60
    • Factors: Utah’s limited history with asbestos-heavy industries has kept exposure cases lower, although some mining and construction projects historically used asbestos materials.
  9. Wyoming
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 20.77
    • Factors: Wyoming’s small population and limited industrial activity reduce asbestos exposure risks. Past mining operations presented some exposure, but current regulations help minimize these risks.
  10. Delaware
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 21.57
    • Factors: Delaware’s focus on chemical industries rather than construction and manufacturing has resulted in fewer asbestos-related cases. The state has invested in asbestos abatement in older buildings.
  11. Rhode Island
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 20.76
    • Factors: Rhode Island’s smaller industrial base limits asbestos exposure cases, although older infrastructure still poses some risk in urban areas where abatement efforts are ongoing.
  12. Maine
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 20.10
    • Factors: While some exposure is attributed to shipbuilding, Maine’s asbestos case rates remain relatively low due to focused abatement programs and strict regulatory oversight.
  13. New Hampshire
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 20.59
    • Factors: With limited exposure in industries that commonly use asbestos, New Hampshire’s public health programs focus on safe handling in construction and renovations to maintain low exposure rates.
  14. Kansas
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 13.73
    • Factors: Kansas’s agricultural focus and limited industrial use of asbestos help maintain low exposure rates. Awareness programs target safety in older public buildings and homes.
  15. South Dakota
    • Cases per 100,000 Residents: 18.09
    • Factors: South Dakota’s exposure rates remain low due to its predominantly rural economy and strict monitoring of asbestos in existing infrastructure, especially in educational and public buildings.

Conclusion

The states with the highest rates of asbestos exposure cases, such as California, Florida, and Pennsylvania, reflect legacy issues from industrial and construction use. States with the lowest cases, including Hawaii and Idaho, typically have fewer industries that exposed workers to asbestos. Continued vigilance, safety protocols, and health support are essential in mitigating asbestos-related health risks.

Legal Resources by State

References