New York Mesothelioma Cases and Statistics: 2026 Update
CDC data on New York mesothelioma cases, deaths, and asbestos exposure across NYC, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse. Top-5 state by case volume.
New York ranks among the top five states in the nation for mesothelioma cases by volume. With at least 4,191 diagnoses between 1999 and 2019 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.
| Metric | New York | National |
|---|---|---|
| Mesothelioma cases (1999-2019) | 4,191 (tied 3rd) | 63,620 (2003-2022, CDC USCS) |
| Annual new diagnoses | ~200 | ~2,500 |
| Statute of limitations (PI) | 3 years from diagnosis | Varies by state |
| Largest single-plaintiff verdict | $117M (May 2025) | Varies |
Regional Breakdown
| Region | Key Exposure Sources | Case Volume |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | Brooklyn Navy Yard, WTC, construction trades | Highest statewide |
| Buffalo/Western NY | Steel mills, power plants, manufacturing | Elevated |
| Albany/Capital Region | State buildings, construction, industrial sites | Moderate |
| Syracuse/Central NY | Manufacturing, construction | Moderate |
| Long Island | Aerospace manufacturing, power plants, construction | Elevated |
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). The same Northeast maritime economy continues across the state line into Connecticut, where Electric Boat in Groton drove decades of submarine-builder exposure, and up through Massachusetts’s Fore River and Charlestown Navy Yard cases.
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 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 now monitors approximately 140,000 people for 9/11-related conditions, including mesothelioma.
Manufacturing
Upstate New York’s manufacturing sector, including steel mills in Buffalo and aerospace manufacturing 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, the majority 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.
New York has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, running from the date of diagnosis. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. People with 9/11-related mesothelioma may also be eligible for the WTC Victim Compensation Fund, which operates on a separate timeline.
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.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC USCS Mesothelioma Report.
https://www.cdc.gov/united-states-cancer-statistics/publications/mesothelioma.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC WONDER Mortality Database.
https://wonder.cdc.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WTC Health Program.
https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/
Didier et al. 2025, PMC. Mesothelioma Mortality Trends in the United States.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12005915/
Reader Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
How many mesothelioma cases does New York have?
The last externally confirmed figure is 4,191 mesothelioma cases in New York between 1999 and 2019, which ranked the state tied 3rd in the US behind California and Florida. Roughly 200 new cases are diagnosed each year. New York City accounts for the majority of filings.
What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in New York?
New York has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, starting from the date of mesothelioma diagnosis. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death.
Is 9/11 still causing mesothelioma diagnoses?
Yes. Because mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 60 years, people exposed to asbestos during and after the World Trade Center collapse are still being diagnosed. The WTC Health Program monitors approximately 140,000 people for 9/11-related conditions.
Which New York cities have the most mesothelioma cases?
New York City leads the state by a wide margin due to the convergence of construction trade exposure, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and the WTC disaster. Buffalo, Long Island, Albany, and Syracuse also show elevated case numbers from their respective industrial histories.
Can 9/11 responders file mesothelioma claims?
Yes. People with 9/11-related mesothelioma have multiple options: the WTC Victim Compensation Fund, personal injury lawsuits, and asbestos trust fund claims. These operate independently and can be pursued simultaneously.
Is there still asbestos in New York?
Yes, asbestos remains prevalent in New York City buildings, with a New York City Department of Environmental Protection survey of 886 buildings across 16 categories finding close to 70% contain asbestos-containing material, mostly in thermal system insulation and mechanical spaces. The EPA banned ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos nationwide on March 18, 2024, but legacy asbestos from buildings constructed between 1920 and 1970 persists in structures like schools, public housing, and prominent sites such as the Pan Am Building. Regulations require testing, abatement during renovations or demolitions, and management plans under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, though incidents of unsafe handling continue.
Will I be ok if I breathed in asbestos?
Breathing in asbestos fibers increases the risk of serious diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, with risks rising based on exposure dose, duration, and factors like smoking. Symptoms often appear 20-40 years after exposure, and no level of exposure is considered completely safe, though short-term or low-level incidents generally carry lower risk than prolonged occupational exposure. Evidence from studies of exposed workers shows most mesotheliomas link to asbestos, but individual outcomes vary widely.
What is the 3 5 7 rule for asbestos sampling?
The 3-5-7 rule, from EPA’s Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) under 40 CFR 763.86, sets minimum bulk samples for friable surfacing materials (like acoustic ceilings or spray-on fireproofing) in homogeneous areas: 3 samples for <1,000 sq ft, 5 for 1,000-5,000 sq ft, and 7 for >5,000 sq ft. Samples must be randomly distributed, with the area deemed asbestos-containing if ≥1% asbestos by weight in any sample. The EPA Pink Book recommends 9 samples per area for higher confidence, though 3-5-7 is the regulatory minimum. This applies to U.S. inspections; other materials like joint compound require separate protocols, often 3 samples. People with mesothelioma often trace exposure to undetected asbestos in such materials.