New York Mesothelioma by the Numbers: 4,732 Cases and Counting

New York ranks among the top five states in the nation for mesothelioma cases by volume. With 4,732 diagnoses between 1999 and 2022 and roughly 200 new cases each year, the state’s burden reflects more than a century of industrial asbestos use compounded by the single largest asbestos exposure event in American history: the collapse of the World Trade Center.

Three overlapping exposure histories drive the numbers: shipyards and heavy construction across New York City, industrial manufacturing in upstate corridors, and the ongoing 9/11 exposure cohort. Each continues to produce new diagnoses decades after the original exposure.

State Rankings

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

Regional Breakdown

New York City dominates the state’s case volume. The five boroughs combine dense pre-war construction (where asbestos insulation, fireproofing, and floor tiles were standard), one of the largest naval shipyards in the country, and the WTC exposure cohort. Outside the city, Buffalo’s steel industry, Long Island’s aerospace manufacturing, and Syracuse’s industrial base each contribute their own exposure clusters. Among major shipyard states, New York’s case burden parallels California’s (driven by Hunters Point and Long Beach), Florida’s (Jacksonville and Pensacola), and Georgia’s (Savannah).

Where Exposure Happened

New York’s asbestos burden traces to four primary sectors.

Shipbuilding

The Brooklyn Navy Yard was one of the busiest naval shipyards in the United States during World War II, employing more than 70,000 workers at its peak. Asbestos was used in pipe insulation, boiler lagging, fireproofing, gaskets, and electrical wiring throughout every vessel. Workers in enclosed below-deck compartments inhaled concentrated fibers for years.

Construction Trades

New York City’s building boom from the 1940s through 1970s relied on asbestos in spray-on fireproofing, pipe insulation, floor tiles, roofing materials, and joint compound. Steamfitters, insulators, electricians, and demolition workers across the five boroughs were exposed during construction, renovation, and demolition of thousands of buildings.

World Trade Center

The collapse of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, released an estimated 400 tons of asbestos along with other toxins into Lower Manhattan. First responders, recovery workers, residents, and office workers in the surrounding area were exposed. The WTC Health Program monitors more than 100,000 people for 9/11-related conditions, including mesothelioma.

Manufacturing

Upstate New York’s manufacturing sector, including steel mills in Buffalo, the Carrier Corporation in Syracuse, and Grumman aerospace on Long Island, exposed workers to asbestos insulation, gaskets, and industrial components across decades of operation.

Who Is Most at Risk

• Construction tradespeople who worked on pre-1980 buildings across New York City
• Brooklyn Navy Yard workers and other shipyard personnel, among the highest-risk occupational groups nationally
• 9/11 first responders and recovery workers at Ground Zero, part of an ongoing crisis still producing diagnoses
• Residents and workers in Lower Manhattan after September 11
• Steamfitters and insulators in commercial and industrial buildings
• Manufacturing workers at upstate industrial facilities
• Power plant workers across the state

Consistent with national trends, approximately 80% of New York mesothelioma diagnoses occur in people aged 60 and older, reflecting the 20 to 60-year latency period between exposure and diagnosis. The 9/11 cohort may shift this profile as exposed individuals age into peak diagnosis years. Veterans across all service branches also represent a significant portion of New York’s case volume, particularly those who served at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and other military installations.

Legal Landscape

New York has produced some of the largest mesothelioma verdicts and settlements in the country, including a $117 million single-plaintiff verdict in May 2025, the largest in state history. NYC courts handle a significant volume of asbestos cases, and the state’s litigation environment is considered favorable for plaintiffs.

Asbestos trust fund claims offer a separate compensation pathway, particularly for construction and shipyard workers exposed to products from multiple bankrupt manufacturers. Workers in the 9/11 cohort may also pursue the WTC Victim Compensation Fund alongside trust fund and lawsuit claims.