Asbestos Statistics

Shareable data visualizations showing the global impact of asbestos exposure. Free to use with attribution.

Data last updated: January 2026

Key Statistics

Official data from WHO, CDC, EPA, and USGS showing the ongoing impact of asbestos worldwide.

Global Asbestos Deaths

Estimated annual deaths from asbestos-related diseases worldwide

255,000 deaths per year globally WHO estimate includes mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis Source: World Health Organization, 2024
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

U.S. Asbestos Deaths

Annual asbestos-related deaths in the United States

12,000 deaths per year in U.S. ~2,500 mesothelioma + lung cancer + asbestosis Source: CDC/NIOSH
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Countries with Asbestos Ban

Number of countries that have banned all asbestos

70 countries with full ban 3 countries still actively mining Source: International Ban Asbestos Secretariat
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

U.S. Schools with Asbestos

Number of U.S. schools estimated to contain asbestos materials

107,000 schools contain asbestos Pre-1980 construction, still in place Source: EPA/AHERA Data
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Diseases Caused by Asbestos

Asbestos causes multiple fatal diseases. Mesothelioma is the signature disease (nearly 100% caused by asbestos), but asbestos-related lung cancer actually kills more people.

Asbestos Deaths by Disease

Breakdown of annual asbestos-related deaths by disease type

Deaths by Disease Type 255,000 global deaths per year Mesothelioma: 15% Lung Cancer: 76% Asbestosis: 8% Laryngeal Cancer: 1% Ovarian Cancer: 0% 100.5 total Mesothelioma 15% (15) Lung Cancer 76% (76) Asbestosis 8% (8) Laryngeal Cancer 1% (1) Ovarian Cancer 0% (0.5) Source: World Health Organization
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Lung Cancer

194,000 deaths/year

Asbestos causes ~4% of all lung cancers. Risk multiplies 50× for smokers exposed to asbestos.

Mesothelioma

38,400 deaths/year

Cancer of the lung/heart lining. Almost exclusively caused by asbestos with no other known cause.

Asbestosis

20,000 deaths/year

Chronic lung scarring with no cure. Progressive disease that impairs breathing over years.

Exposure Sources

How do people get exposed to asbestos? Occupational exposure is the leading cause, but secondary exposure from family members' work clothes is also significant.

Asbestos Exposure Sources

Primary pathways of asbestos exposure

Exposure Sources How people are exposed to asbestos Occupational: 70% Secondary/Take-Home: 10% Environmental: 8% Building Materials: 7% Consumer Products: 5% 100 total Occupational 70% (70) Secondary/Take-Home 10% (10) Environmental 8% (8) Building Materials 7% (7) Consumer Products 5% (5) Source: EPA/NIOSH
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Occupational Risk

Relative risk of mesothelioma by occupation compared to the general population. Insulation workers face 46× higher risk.

Mesothelioma Risk by Occupation

Relative risk compared to general population

Occupational Risk (× General Population) Based on epidemiological studies Insulation Workers 46× Shipyard Workers 30× Boilermakers 24× Pipefitters 18× Sheet Metal Workers 15× Construction Workers 12× Electricians 10× Auto Mechanics 8× Source: Occupational Health Research
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Deaths by Region

Geographic distribution of asbestos-related deaths. Asia leads due to ongoing use and large populations in industrializing nations.

Global Deaths by Region

Geographic distribution of asbestos deaths

Deaths by Region 255,000 annual deaths worldwide Asia: 46% Europe: 26% North America: 12% South America: 7% Africa: 6% Oceania: 3% 100 total Asia 46% (46) Europe 26% (26) North America 12% (12) South America 7% (7) Africa 6% (6) Oceania 3% (3) Source: WHO Global Burden of Disease
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

U.S. Asbestos Imports (1973-2023)

U.S. asbestos consumption has dropped 99.99% since the 1973 peak of 804,000 metric tons. However, chrysotile asbestos imports remain legal.

U.S. Asbestos Imports Over Time

Annual metric tons of asbestos imported to U.S.

U.S. Asbestos Imports (Metric Tons) Down 99.99% from 1973 peak. Source: USGS Mineral Commodities. 0 221.1k 442.2k 663.3k 884.4k 1973 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2023 1973: 804,000 metric tons 1980: 358,000 metric tons 1985: 234,000 metric tons 1990: 32,000 metric tons 1995: 17,000 metric tons 2000: 14,000 metric tons 2005: 2,500 metric tons 2010: 1,000 metric tons 2015: 340 metric tons 2020: 100 metric tons 2023: 50 metric tons Peak: 804,000 1973 2023: 50 Year Metric tons Source: USGS Mineral Commodities Summaries
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Asbestos in Buildings

Millions of structures built before 1980 still contain asbestos materials. The risk is dormant until materials are disturbed during renovation or demolition.

U.S. Homes with Asbestos

Residential buildings containing asbestos materials

35M homes contain asbestos Floor tiles, insulation, siding, roofing Source: EPA Estimates
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Commercial Buildings

Commercial structures with asbestos materials

750K commercial buildings Offices, schools, hospitals Source: EPA Estimates
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Estimated Removal Cost

Total estimated cost to remove all asbestos from U.S. buildings

$450B to remove all asbestos Why most is left in place Source: Industry Estimates
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Latency Period

Average time between exposure and disease development

40 years average latency Range: 10-60 years Source: Medical Literature
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Global Ban Status

70 countries have comprehensive asbestos bans. The U.S. has only partial restrictions, with chrysotile imports still legal.

✓

Full Ban

70 countries

UK, Australia, Japan, EU members, Canada, Brazil

~

Partial Ban

55+ countries

United States — most uses banned, imports still allowed

✗

Still Mining

3 countries

Russia, Kazakhstan, China

Types of Asbestos

Six types of asbestos fibers are recognized by the EPA. Chrysotile (white asbestos) accounts for 95% of all asbestos ever used and is the only type still mined today.

Asbestos by Fiber Type

Distribution of asbestos use by mineral type

Asbestos Use by Type Chrysotile dominates at 95% of historical use Chrysotile: 95% Amosite: 3% Crocidolite: 1% Tremolite: 1% 99.5 total Chrysotile 95% (95) Amosite 3% (3) Crocidolite 1% (1) Tremolite 1% (0.5) Source: USGS Mineral Data
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Serpentine Family

Chrysotile (White)
  • 95% of all asbestos used
  • Still mined in Russia, Kazakhstan, China
  • Used in cement, brake pads, roofing, textiles
  • All types cause cancer — no safe level

Amphibole Family

Amosite, Crocidolite, Tremolite, Anthophyllite, Actinolite
  • 5% of historical use (combined)
  • No longer mined commercially
  • Crocidolite (blue) is most dangerous
  • Tremolite contaminates talc and vermiculite

Products Containing Asbestos

Over 3,000 products have contained asbestos. Many remain in buildings constructed before 1980. Some products (brake pads, gaskets) can still be imported legally.

Asbestos Products by Category

Number of known asbestos-containing product types

Product Categories Containing Asbestos Number of distinct product types by category Building Materials 45 products Insulation 12 products Automotive 8 products Industrial 15 products Consumer Products 10 products Textiles 6 products Source: EPA/CPSC
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Common Building Materials with Asbestos

Material Common Locations Years Used Risk Level
Floor tiles (9×9") Kitchens, basements, offices 1920-1980 Low if intact
Pipe insulation Boiler rooms, basements 1920-1975 High
Popcorn ceilings Bedrooms, living rooms 1950-1978 Medium
Vermiculite insulation Attics, wall cavities 1920-1990 High
Joint compound Drywall seams throughout 1940-1977 High (sanding)
Cement siding Exterior walls 1920-1980 Low if intact

Asbestos Trust Funds

Over 60 companies have filed bankruptcy due to asbestos litigation, creating trust funds totaling $37 billion to compensate victims. These trusts have paid over 800,000 claims.

Total Trust Fund Assets

Combined assets in asbestos bankruptcy trusts

$37B in trust fund assets 60+ active bankruptcy trusts Source: RAND Corporation
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Total Compensation Paid

Total paid to asbestos victims via all channels

$70B+ total paid to victims Trusts, settlements, and verdicts combined Source: RAND Corporation
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Average Mesothelioma Settlement

Typical compensation for mesothelioma cases

$1.2M average meso settlement Verdicts often higher Source: Industry Data
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Annual New Claims

New asbestos-related legal claims filed per year

3,000 new claims per year Down from 60,000 in 2000 Source: Court Records
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Largest Asbestos Trust Funds

Trust funds by assets (millions)

Largest Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts Trust assets in millions of dollars Johns-Manville 4,000M Owens Corning 3,500M W.R. Grace 3,000M USG 2,800M Armstrong World 2,500M Celotex 1,800M Eagle-Picher 1,500M Babcock & Wilcox 1,200M Source: RAND Corporation
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

Asbestos History Timeline

From the first documented death in 1897 to the pending EPA ban in 2024, the story of asbestos is one of corporate cover-up and delayed regulation.

Asbestos History Timeline

Key events in asbestos use, awareness, and regulation

Asbestos: A Century of Harm 1897-2024 1897 First documented asbestos death An Austrian doctor documents the first death from asbestos-related lung disease. 1918 Insurance companies refuse coverage US and Canadian insurance companies stop selling life insurance to asbestos workers. 1930s Industry suppresses evidence Internal memos show companies knew of health risks but chose profits over safety. 1964 Mesothelioma link proven Dr. Irving Selikoff presents landmark research linking asbestos to mesothelioma. 1970 OSHA created Occupational Safety and Health Administration established to regulate workplace exposure. 1973 Peak US consumption 804,000 metric tons imported, the highest in US history. 1989 EPA attempts ban EPA issues rule to ban most asbestos products, later overturned by courts. 1991 Court overturns EPA ban Fifth Circuit Court strikes down the 1989 ban, leaving most uses legal. 1999 UK bans asbestos United Kingdom implements comprehensive ban on all asbestos types. 2002 Bankruptcy wave begins Major manufacturers file for bankruptcy to limit liability. Trust funds established. 2018 Canada bans asbestos After decades as major exporter, Canada finally bans all asbestos. 2024 EPA proposes comprehensive ban New EPA rule would ban ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos in US. Source: Historical Records
Data from MesoWatch. Free to use with attribution.

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Data Sources

All statistics are sourced from official health organizations, government agencies, and peer-reviewed research.