Second in the Nation: Florida Mesothelioma by the Numbers

Florida’s mesothelioma burden is the second largest in the country by total cases. Between 1999 and 2022, 5,619 people in Florida received a mesothelioma diagnosis, and 3,836 died from the disease. Only California, with a larger population and its own industrial history, recorded more.

The reason is a combination of industries that defined Florida’s 20th-century economy. Naval shipyards in Jacksonville, military bases across the state, power plants serving a rapidly growing population, and a construction boom that stretched from the 1950s through the 1980s all used asbestos extensively. The workers who built that infrastructure are the ones receiving diagnoses now.

State Rankings

For a full comparison of all 50 states, see our mesothelioma rates by state rankings.

Metro Area Data

Jacksonville carries the heaviest concentration of exposure sources in the state. The city’s naval shipyards, port facilities, and military infrastructure created a dense web of asbestos use that spanned decades, sharing the same exposure profile as Savannah’s shipbuilding yards in Georgia and the Philadelphia Navy Yard further up the coast. Tampa’s ship repair yards and phosphate processing industry added another corridor of exposure along the Gulf Coast.

Miami and Fort Lauderdale reflect a different pattern. The region’s rapid growth from the 1950s onward created massive demand for commercial construction, and asbestos was a standard building material through the early 1980s. Power plants built to serve the growing population added another layer of occupational exposure.

Where Exposure Happened

Florida’s asbestos burden traces to four primary sectors.

Shipbuilding and Ship Repair

Jacksonville Naval Air Station’s shipyard operations and Tampa’s port-based ship repair facilities were among the most asbestos-intensive workplaces in the state. Workers who built, maintained, and repaired naval and commercial vessels were surrounded by asbestos insulation, pipe covering, fireproofing, and boiler lagging. Below-deck work in enclosed compartments produced especially concentrated exposure.

Pensacola, Patrick, and Homestead Military Bases

Florida’s military installations created asbestos exposure for both military personnel and civilian workers. Pensacola Naval Air Station, Patrick Air Force Base, Homestead Air Reserve Base, and dozens of other facilities used asbestos in barracks, maintenance hangars, power plants, and infrastructure throughout the Cold War era.

Coal and Oil-Fired Power Stations

Florida’s rapid population growth in the mid-20th century required a buildout of electrical generation capacity. Coal-fired and oil-fired power plants across the state used asbestos insulation on boilers, turbines, steam pipes, and electrical components. Workers who built and maintained these plants, including boilermakers, pipefitters, insulators, and electricians, were exposed throughout their careers.

Post-War Construction Across the State

The Florida construction boom from the 1950s through the 1980s put asbestos-containing materials in commercial buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools, and residential structures across the state. Drywall joint compound, floor tiles, roofing materials, insulation, and fireproofing all contained asbestos. Construction tradespeople who cut, sanded, and installed these materials inhaled fibers on the job.

Who Is Most at Risk

• Shipyard workers at Jacksonville, Tampa, and Pensacola facilities
• Military personnel and civilian base workers at Florida’s numerous installations, with risk levels varying by branch of service
• Boilermakers and pipefitters at power plants statewide
• Construction tradespeople who worked in pre-1980 commercial and residential projects
• Insulators and maintenance crews across industrial and commercial facilities
• Port workers at Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, and other coastal operations

The majority of Florida mesothelioma diagnoses occur in people aged 60 and older, consistent with the 20 to 60-year latency period between exposure and diagnosis. Across all high-risk occupations, Florida’s shipyard and military base workers represent some of the highest-exposure categories nationally.

Legal Options for Florida Workers

For an overview of all current treatment options, see the 2026 mesothelioma treatment landscape. Florida’s asbestos trust fund claims are particularly relevant for shipyard workers and military base personnel, who were exposed to products from multiple manufacturers throughout their careers. The companies that manufactured asbestos-containing insulation, pipe covering, gaskets, and fireproofing have established bankruptcy trusts that still accept claims.

Verdicts and settlements in Florida reflect the state’s industrial profile, with cases tied to shipyard exposure, military bases, power plants, and secondhand exposure from contaminated work clothing.