4,467 Diagnoses: Texas Mesothelioma by the Numbers

Texas is one of the most affected states in the country for asbestos-related disease. The reason is industrial: for most of the 20th century, the Gulf Coast was the center of American oil refining, petrochemical production, and shipbuilding. All three industries relied heavily on asbestos for insulation, fireproofing, and heat resistance. Workers who built, maintained, and operated those facilities carried the exposure home with them, and many are still being diagnosed today.

The numbers below draw from the CDC USCS mesothelioma report and the CDC WONDER mortality and cancer incidence databases. These represent the most current publicly available data.

Statewide Case and Death Totals

According to CDC WONDER cancer incidence data, Texas recorded 4,467 mesothelioma diagnoses between 1999 and 2022. CDC WONDER mortality data shows the state also recorded 724 asbestosis deaths and an estimated 10,752 deaths from asbestos-related lung cancer during the same period. Combined with 3,034 mesothelioma deaths, asbestos has killed more than 14,500 people in Texas over two decades.

Based on CDC USCS data, the annual incidence rate is 0.7 per 100,000 residents, which is slightly below the national average. But the raw numbers tell a different story. Texas reports roughly 206 new mesothelioma cases and 350 asbestos-related deaths every year.

Where the Cases Are: Metro-Level Data

Mesothelioma in Texas is not evenly distributed. The Gulf Coast dominates, with Houston, Beaumont-Port Arthur, and the Texas City-Galveston corridor accounting for the largest share of cases and deaths. These are the cities where the refineries, chemical plants, and shipyards were concentrated.

According to CDC WONDER mortality data, Houston’s 524 deaths make it the deadliest metro area in the state for asbestos exposure. But Beaumont-Port Arthur, with 451 deaths in a much smaller population, has the highest per capita rate of asbestos-related disease in Texas. The concentration of refineries and petrochemical plants along the Neches River and Sabine Lake created one of the most dangerous occupational corridors in the country.

For a deeper look at Houston’s exposure history, see our analysis: 524 Asbestos Deaths in Houston: Inside the Gulf Coast’s Deadliest Industry.

Industries Driving Exposure in Texas

Four industries account for the vast majority of asbestos exposure in the state. Each used asbestos differently, but the outcome was the same: workers inhaled microscopic fibers that lodged in the lining of their lungs, abdomen, or heart.

Workers in these industries were not the only people affected. Secondary exposure, where asbestos fibers were carried home on clothing, hair, and skin, caused mesothelioma in family members who never set foot inside a plant or shipyard.

For workers tracing their exposure history, MesoWatch maintains a searchable database of documented asbestos exposure sites in Texas.

How Texas Compares to Other States

Texas ranks fifth nationally in total mesothelioma diagnoses, behind California (298 cases in 2022), Florida (241), Pennsylvania (156), and New York (148). Texas reported 203 cases in the most recent year of available data.

Pennsylvania and Florida have higher per capita rates than Texas, reflecting their smaller populations relative to their industrial exposure histories. But Texas’s raw case count, 203 per year, means more families receive a mesothelioma diagnosis here than in all but two other states.

For the full national analysis, see Mesothelioma Rates by State: 2026 Rankings.

Treatment Resources in Texas

Texas is home to several NCI-designated cancer centers with mesothelioma programs. MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the highest-volume mesothelioma treatment centers in the country, with active research programs in immunotherapy and surgical techniques.

Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, also in Houston, has a thoracic surgery program that treats people with mesothelioma. UT Southwestern in Dallas and MD Anderson’s satellite facilities expand access across the state.

For people with mesothelioma in Texas who are exploring treatment options, 92+ clinical trials are currently recruiting across the country, including several with sites in Houston and Dallas.

Legal Options for Texas Families

Under Texas CPRC Section 16.003, the state imposes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims related to asbestos exposure, starting from the date of diagnosis. For wrongful death claims, the two-year window starts from the date of death.

According to industry analysis, more than 60 asbestos trust funds hold over $30 billion for people with documented exposure. Many Texas workers in Gulf Coast industries qualify for multiple trust funds, depending on which manufacturers supplied asbestos products to their worksites.

According to publicly reported case outcomes, recent Texas verdicts reflect the severity of these cases. A Houston pipefitter received $18.6 million for occupational mesothelioma. A Beaumont refinery worker was awarded $12 million. A Galveston shipyard worker who serviced Navy vessels received $8.2 million. Specific verdict amounts reflect publicly reported outcomes and may not correspond to verified court records.

Texas families can learn more about their legal options and connect with an experienced mesothelioma attorney.