Twice the National Average: Iowa Mesothelioma by the Numbers

Iowa is not typically associated with the industrial corridors that produced the country’s highest mesothelioma rates. But the numbers tell a different story. At 1.06 per 100,000 residents, Iowa’s mesothelioma rate is roughly twice the national average.

The state’s 525 mesothelioma deaths between 1999 and 2017 reflect decades of asbestos exposure across manufacturing plants, meatpacking facilities, and agricultural equipment factories.

The industries that built Iowa’s economy, from Deere and Company in the Quad Cities to the meatpacking plants in Sioux City and Waterloo, all relied on asbestos-containing materials in their operations. Workers who spent careers in these facilities are now receiving diagnoses 30 to 50 years after their last exposure.

State Rankings

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

County-Level Data

Iowa’s mesothelioma burden is concentrated in its industrial cities. Polk County (Des Moines) leads the state, reflecting the capital city’s role as a hub for manufacturing, power generation, and commercial construction. Linn County (Cedar Rapids) and Scott County (Davenport) follow, driven by cereal processing, agricultural equipment manufacturing, and heavy industry along the Mississippi River.

The meatpacking corridor running through Sioux City and Waterloo adds a dimension that is unique to Iowa. Meatpacking plants used asbestos insulation in refrigeration systems, steam pipes, and boiler rooms. Workers in these facilities were exposed throughout their careers. While Iowa’s meatpacking exposure is distinctive, the state’s broader manufacturing profile parallels the patterns seen in Wisconsin’s paper mill corridor and Michigan’s auto manufacturing belt, where sustained industrial asbestos use drove similarly elevated rates.

Where Exposure Happened

Iowa’s asbestos burden traces to three primary sectors.

Manufacturing in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and the Quad Cities

Iowa’s manufacturing base, concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and the Quad Cities, used asbestos across production equipment, insulation, and facility infrastructure. The Quad Cities corridor, straddling the Iowa-Illinois border at Davenport and Bettendorf, was home to John Deere operations and a network of heavy manufacturing plants where asbestos insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing were standard.

Meatpacking in Waterloo and Sioux City

Iowa’s meatpacking industry was among the largest in the country. Plants operated by Rath Packing in Waterloo, Iowa Beef Processors in Sioux City, and others used asbestos insulation throughout their refrigeration systems, steam lines, and boiler operations. Maintenance workers who serviced these systems had direct, repeated contact with asbestos-containing materials.

John Deere and agricultural equipment plants

The production of tractors, combines, and farm equipment in Iowa factories involved asbestos brake pads, clutch facings, gaskets, and insulation. Workers at agricultural equipment plants handled these components as part of assembly and maintenance operations.

Who Is Most at Risk

• Manufacturing workers at plants in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and the Quad Cities
• Meatpacking workers who maintained refrigeration and steam systems
• Agricultural equipment workers handling brake, clutch, and gasket components
• Pipefitters and insulators in industrial and commercial construction, one of the highest-risk occupational groups nationally
• Boilermakers at power plants and industrial facilities
• Construction tradespeople working in pre-1980 commercial and public buildings
• Military veterans stationed at Iowa bases, who face elevated risk across all service branches

Most Iowa mesothelioma deaths occur in people aged 60 and older, consistent with the 20 to 60-year latency period between exposure and diagnosis.

Legal Landscape

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

Verdicts and settlements in Iowa reflect the state’s industrial profile, with cases tied to manufacturing, meatpacking, and agricultural equipment exposure. The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld significant verdicts, including a $6.5 million judgment.