Ohio Mesothelioma Statistics 2026: Cases, Deaths, and Industrial Exposure
Ohio averages 110 new mesothelioma cases and 103 deaths per year (ODH, 2018-2022). CDC data on incidence, Cuyahoga litigation history, and state law deadlines.
Ohio’s industrial legacy runs through steel mills, auto plants, power stations, and chemical facilities that defined the Rust Belt economy for more than a century. Asbestos was woven into every layer of that industrial infrastructure, from the insulation on blast furnace pipes to the brake linings rolling off assembly lines in Toledo.
The result is a state that continues to record more than 100 new mesothelioma diagnoses every year. Ohio’s industrial workforce spent decades working with and around asbestos-containing materials in steel production, auto manufacturing, and power generation, and the consequences of that exposure continue to emerge.
State Rankings
For a full comparison of all 50 states, see our mesothelioma rates by state rankings.
| Metric | Ohio | National |
|---|---|---|
| Average annual cases (2018-2022) | 110 | ~2,700 |
| Average annual deaths (2018-2022) | 103 | ~2,500 |
| Statute of limitations (PI) | 2 years from diagnosis | Varies by state |
| Statute of limitations (WD) | 2 years from death | Varies by state |
Where Exposure Happened
Ohio’s asbestos burden traces to three primary industrial sectors that shaped the state’s economy through the 20th century.
Steel Production
Cleveland and the surrounding Cuyahoga Valley anchored one of the largest steelmaking regions in the country. Republic Steel, LTV Steel, U.S. Steel, and Jones and Laughlin operated mills along the Cuyahoga River that employed tens of thousands of workers over decades. Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley formed a second major steel corridor, with Youngstown Sheet and Tube among the largest employers in the region. Together with Chicago’s southeast side mills, Gary, Indiana, and Pittsburgh’s steel corridor, Ohio’s mills formed the core of the Rust Belt’s asbestos exposure burden.
Inside these mills, asbestos insulated blast furnaces, ladles, pipes, and electrical systems. Workers who installed, maintained, or worked near insulated equipment inhaled fibers daily. The exposure was most severe for insulators, pipefitters, millwrights, and maintenance crews, but production workers on the floor were also exposed.
Auto Manufacturing
Ohio’s auto industry centered on Toledo, Cleveland, and the corridor connecting them. Jeep (originally Willys-Overland) operated in Toledo for decades. General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler all ran major assembly and parts plants across the state. The same companies operated even larger facilities across the border in Michigan, where the Big Three’s Dearborn, Flint, and Pontiac plants used identical asbestos-containing brake linings, clutch facings, gaskets, and heat shields.
Workers who fabricated, tested, and installed these components handled asbestos-containing materials throughout their shifts. Mechanics who later serviced vehicles with asbestos brake pads and clutch assemblies faced ongoing secondary exposure for years.
Power Plants and Chemical Facilities
Ohio’s coal-fired power plants used asbestos extensively in boiler insulation, pipe lagging, and turbine wrapping. FirstEnergy (formerly Ohio Edison), American Electric Power, and Dayton Power and Light operated plants across the state where maintenance workers and boilermakers were routinely exposed.
Chemical and refining facilities along the Ohio River, particularly in the Cincinnati and Marietta areas, added another layer of exposure. These plants used asbestos gaskets, valve packing, and pipe insulation throughout their operations.
County-Level Data
| County | Key Industries | Notable Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga (Cleveland) | Steel, manufacturing, shipbuilding | Republic Steel, LTV Steel, Cleveland shipyards |
| Hamilton (Cincinnati) | Manufacturing, power plants, chemical | GE Aviation, Cincinnati Gas & Electric |
| Franklin (Columbus) | Manufacturing, construction | Jeffrey Mining, Buckeye Steel Castings |
| Lucas (Toledo) | Auto manufacturing, glass, oil refining | Jeep/Willys-Overland, Owens-Illinois, Sun Oil |
| Mahoning (Youngstown) | Steel, manufacturing | Youngstown Sheet and Tube, Republic Steel |
Cuyahoga County accounts for a disproportionate share of the state’s mesothelioma burden, reflecting the concentration of steel production, manufacturing, and shipbuilding in the Cleveland metropolitan area. Hamilton County (Cincinnati) and Lucas County (Toledo) follow, driven by their own industrial histories.
Who Is Most at Risk
The occupations with the highest exposure in Ohio mirror the state’s industrial profile:
- Steelworkers at Republic Steel, LTV Steel, Youngstown Sheet and Tube, and smaller mills
- Auto workers at Jeep, GM, Ford, and Chrysler plants across the state
- Pipefitters and insulators in industrial and commercial construction
- Boilermakers at power plants and steel mills
- Railroad workers in maintenance yards across Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati
- Chemical plant workers at Ohio River facilities
- Construction tradespeople working in pre-1980 buildings
Secondary exposure also affects families. Workers carried asbestos fibers home on clothing, exposing spouses and children to the same material that caused their own disease. A landmark Cuyahoga County verdict of $27.5 million specifically addressed secondhand exposure. In January 2026, the Virginia Supreme Court affirmed a duty of care in a shipyard take-home exposure case, a ruling that reinforces the legal foundation for similar claims in Ohio and across the country.
Ohio has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, running from the date of diagnosis under R.C. § 2305.10(A). Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of death under R.C. § 2125.02. These deadlines are strictly enforced.
Legal Landscape
For an overview of all current treatment options, see the 2026 mesothelioma treatment landscape.
Cuyahoga County has been one of the most active jurisdictions for asbestos litigation in the country. More than 12,800 cases were pending in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court by 1999. By October 2003, pending asbestos cases statewide had grown to more than 39,000, with approximately 200 new filings arriving each month. By 2004, the statewide pending caseload had reached more than 46,000, according to Institute for Legal Reform analysis.
Recent verdicts include a $27.5 million award for secondhand exposure, among the largest in Ohio history.
Ohio law allows claims against both solvent companies and bankrupt defendants through asbestos trust funds. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can identify all applicable trusts based on a worker’s employment history and the products used at their specific job sites.
References
Ohio Department of Health. Mesothelioma in Ohio, August 2025.
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/000eee4c-66f0-4193-83a4-e70791f90ffb/Mesothelioma+in+Ohio_August+2025_Final.pdf
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 Multiple Cause of Death 1999-2020 (ICD-10 C45, Ohio).
https://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10.html
Ohio Supreme Court. Ohio Supreme Court: Cuyahoga Asbestos Docket.
https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/pdf_viewer/pdf_viewer.aspx?pdf=655203.pdf&subdirectory=2009-1070%5CDocketItems
Reminger Co., L.P.A.. Reminger Report: Ohio Asbestos Litigation.
https://www.reminger.com/report-266
Institute for Legal Reform. Watching It Work: Ohio's Asbestos Trust Law.
https://instituteforlegalreform.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Watching_It_Work_The_Impact_of_Ohios_Asbestos_Trust_Law.pdf
Ohio General Assembly. Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10.
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2305.10
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 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in Ohio each year?
Ohio averages approximately 110 new mesothelioma diagnoses per year based on 2018 to 2022 data from the Ohio Department of Health.
What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in Ohio?
Ohio has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, starting from the date of mesothelioma diagnosis under R.C. § 2305.10(A). Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death under R.C. § 2125.02.
Which Ohio counties have the most mesothelioma cases?
Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) leads the state, followed by Hamilton County (Cincinnati), Franklin County (Columbus), Lucas County (Toledo), and Mahoning County (Youngstown). These counties reflect the concentration of steel, auto, and manufacturing industries.
Why does Ohio have a high rate of mesothelioma?
Ohio was a center of steel production, auto manufacturing, and industrial power generation throughout the 20th century. These industries used asbestos extensively in insulation, brake components, gaskets, and building materials. The combination of large workforces and prolonged exposure created the conditions for ongoing mesothelioma diagnoses decades later.
Can family members of Ohio workers file claims?
Yes. Ohio courts have recognized take-home exposure claims, where family members developed mesothelioma from asbestos fibers carried home on workers’ clothing. A Cuyahoga County jury awarded $27.5 million in a secondhand exposure case.
Can I look up if my house has asbestos?
Visual inspection alone cannot confirm asbestos in your home, as asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye. However, you can look for risk indicators such as the age of your home (built before the 1980s), common locations like textured ceilings, vinyl floor tiles, pipe insulation, and building records that may document asbestos use. The only definitive way to identify asbestos is through professional laboratory testing, where a certified inspector collects material samples and sends them to a lab for analysis using methods like Polarized Light Microscopy or Transmission Electron Microscopy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends testing if building materials are damaged or you plan to remodel, as disturbing materials can release fibers into the air. Do not attempt to collect samples yourself, as improper handling can release asbestos fibers.
How much does it cost to remove asbestos in Ohio?
Asbestos removal in Ohio costs an average of $2,192, with most homeowners paying between $1,421 and $2,964. Interior removal typically ranges from $5 to $20 per square foot, while exterior work such as roof removal costs $50 to $120 per square foot. The final cost depends on the size of the affected area, asbestos type, location within the home, and accessibility. Professional testing and inspection before removal costs $250 to $800. Disposal fees add $10 to $50 per cubic yard and are highly regulated in Ohio.
When did Ohio ban asbestos?
Ohio has no statewide ban on the use of asbestos. The U.S. EPA issued a partial ban in 1989 on the manufacture, import, processing, and distribution of certain asbestos-containing products, along with new uses after August 25, 1989; this rule remains in effect. In March 2024, the EPA finalized a ban on ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the last type permitted in the U.S. Ohio EPA regulates asbestos emissions from demolition and renovation under Ohio Administrative Code 3745-20, but does not prohibit asbestos use outright. No evidence shows Ohio enacting a comprehensive asbestos ban as of 2026.