Second Highest Rate in the Nation: Pennsylvania Mesothelioma by the Numbers
Pennsylvania ranks 2nd nationally for mesothelioma at 1.22 per 100,000. CDC data: 4,627 diagnoses 1999-2022, 85% pleural, two-year statute of limitations.
Pennsylvania ranks second only to Wisconsin (1.24 per 100,000) for per capita mesothelioma, with a rate of 1.22 per 100,000 residents. Minnesota ranks third at 1.20 per 100,000. The national average is 0.6. That means Pennsylvanians develop mesothelioma at roughly twice the rate of the typical American.
The reason is industrial. Pennsylvania’s steel mills, shipyards, and manufacturing plants used asbestos across every stage of production. From Bethlehem Steel in the Lehigh Valley to the Philadelphia Navy Yard on the Delaware River, workers inhaled asbestos fibers as part of their daily routine for decades. Those exposures are producing diagnoses now, 30 to 50 years later.
State Rankings
For a full comparison of all 50 states, see our mesothelioma rates by state rankings.
| Metric | Pennsylvania | National |
|---|---|---|
| Mesothelioma rate (per 100K) | 1.22 (2nd highest) | 0.6 |
| Diagnoses (1999-2022) | 4,627 | ~72,779 (through 2021, CDC) |
| Annual asbestos deaths | ~900-950 | ~2,500 |
| Pleural mesothelioma share | 85% | ~80% nationally |
| Statute of limitations (PI) | 2 years from diagnosis | Varies by state |
County-Level Data
| County | Region | Key Industries | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware County | SE (Philadelphia metro) | Shipbuilding, oil refineries, power plants | Very high |
| Montgomery County | SE (Philadelphia metro) | Manufacturing, construction, asbestos products | Very high |
| Philadelphia County | SE | Navy Yard, railroads, construction trades | Very high |
| Butler County | W (Pittsburgh area) | Steel, oil refineries, manufacturing | High |
| Beaver County | W (Pittsburgh area) | Steel mills, chemical plants | High |
| Westmoreland County | W (Pittsburgh area) | Steel, coal, glass manufacturing | High |
| Allegheny County | W (Pittsburgh) | Steel production, heavy industry, construction | High |
| Lehigh/Northampton | E (Lehigh Valley) | Bethlehem Steel, cement, manufacturing | High |
The geographic distribution reveals two distinct clusters. In southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and Montgomery counties near Philadelphia reflect the shipbuilding, refining, and manufacturing industries that lined the Delaware River. In western Pennsylvania, Butler, Beaver, and Westmoreland counties surround Pittsburgh, where steel production and heavy industry drove exposure for generations.
Where Exposure Happened
Pennsylvania’s asbestos burden traces to four primary sectors.
Steel Mills in Bethlehem and Pittsburgh
Bethlehem Steel’s Lehigh Valley complex was one of the largest steel operations in the world. The company’s furnaces, rolling mills, and fabrication shops all used asbestos insulation, fireproofing, and gaskets. Pittsburgh’s steel mills along the Monongahela and Ohio rivers created a parallel corridor of exposure that extended into Ohio’s Cleveland steel belt, Indiana’s Gary mills, and Chicago’s Southeast Side. Steelworkers, maintenance crews, and construction tradespeople at these facilities inhaled asbestos throughout their careers.
The Philadelphia Navy Yard
The Philadelphia Navy Yard was the largest naval shipbuilding facility on the East Coast. From World War II through the Vietnam era, thousands of workers built and repaired warships in conditions where asbestos was embedded in nearly every system. Pipe insulation, boiler lagging, fireproofing, and gaskets all contained asbestos. Below-deck work in enclosed compartments created particularly concentrated exposure. Workers at the Philadelphia yard shared the same hazards as those at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York, Jacksonville’s naval shipyards in Florida, and the Savannah shipyards in Georgia.
Statewide Manufacturing Plants
Across Pennsylvania, manufacturing plants used asbestos in machinery insulation, gaskets, brake systems, and fireproofing. Industries from auto parts to electrical equipment to cement production all relied on asbestos-containing materials.
Pre-1980 Construction Trades
Pre-1980 commercial and public buildings throughout Pennsylvania were constructed with asbestos-containing materials. Insulation, floor tiles, roofing, and fireproofing all contained asbestos. Construction tradespeople, especially insulators, pipefitters, and electricians, faced daily exposure.
Who Is Most at Risk
- Steelworkers at Bethlehem Steel, Pittsburgh mills, and smaller operations statewide
- Shipyard workers at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and Delaware River facilities
- Pipefitters and insulators in industrial and commercial construction
- Boilermakers at power plants and industrial facilities
- Construction tradespeople working in pre-1980 buildings
- Maintenance crews at manufacturing plants, refineries, and power stations
Of the approximately 6,000 mesothelioma cases studied in Pennsylvania, 85% were pleural mesothelioma, which originates in the lining of the lungs and is most strongly associated with inhaling asbestos fibers.
Pennsylvania has a two-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. Both deadlines are shorter than many neighboring states.
Legal Options for Pennsylvania Workers
For an overview of all current treatment options, see the 2026 mesothelioma treatment landscape. Pennsylvania’s asbestos trust fund claims are relevant for workers across the steel, shipbuilding, and manufacturing industries. The companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products used in these facilities have established bankruptcy trusts that continue to accept claims.
Verdicts and settlements in Pennsylvania reflect the state’s industrial profile, with significant outcomes tied to steel mill, shipyard, and construction exposure.
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 Multiple Cause of Death 1999-2020 (ICD-10 C45, Pennsylvania).
https://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR: Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality, United States, 1999-2015.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6608a3.htm
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
Why does Pennsylvania have such a high mesothelioma rate?
Pennsylvania’s steel industry, shipbuilding operations, and manufacturing base created widespread asbestos exposure across two major industrial corridors: the Philadelphia region (shipyards, refineries, manufacturing) and the Pittsburgh region (steel mills, heavy industry). The concentration and duration of exposure across these industries drives the state’s second-highest national rate.
What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, starting from the date of mesothelioma diagnosis. Wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years of the date of death.
Which Pennsylvania counties have the most cases?
Delaware and Montgomery counties in southeastern Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia) and Butler, Beaver, and Westmoreland counties in western Pennsylvania (near Pittsburgh) have the highest concentrations. Philadelphia and Allegheny counties also show elevated rates tied to their industrial histories.
Are mesothelioma cases still being diagnosed in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Because mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 60 years, people exposed in the 1960s through 1980s are still receiving diagnoses. Pennsylvania’s rate remains the second highest in the nation despite the decline of the industries that caused the exposure.
What percentage of Pennsylvania mesothelioma cases are pleural?
Approximately 85% of the roughly 6,000 mesothelioma cases studied in Pennsylvania were pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. This is consistent with inhalation as the primary exposure route in industrial settings.
What are the odds of getting sick from asbestos?
No level of asbestos exposure is considered safe, but the risk of developing diseases like mesothelioma or lung cancer follows a dose-response relationship, with greater exposure duration and intensity linked to higher odds. Occupational exposure over months to years drives most cases, while short-term or incidental exposures (minutes to hours in ventilated areas) carry low risk, though OSHA notes exposures as brief as a few days have caused mesothelioma. Between 2-10% of people exposed to asbestos develop related diseases, and smokers face synergistically higher lung cancer risk. Most mesotheliomas stem from asbestos, with latency of 20-50 years. Evidence shows no threshold below which risk is zero for any fiber type.
Can you screw into asbestos?
Screwing into asbestos-containing material (ACM) is not prohibited by regulations but is discouraged in favor of removal and replacement with non-ACM. Drilling or screwing releases asbestos fibers, so controls like applying duct tape to entry/exit points, using thickened substances (e.g., shaving cream or gel) to capture fibers, and wet methods are required to minimize airborne exposure. Hand drills are preferred over powered ones to reduce fiber release, with local exhaust ventilation (e.g., HEPA-vacuum) recommended if powered tools are used; area isolation and PPE are also necessary. OSHA classifies such work as a Class III operation under 29 CFR 1926.1101 when debris fits in one 60-inch waste bag.
Can you wash asbestos out of clothes?
Asbestos fibers resist water, heat, and chemicals, making them extremely difficult to remove from fabric through standard washing. Attempting to wash asbestos-contaminated clothing at home can spread fibers to other garments, the washing machine itself, and into the air, where they may remain airborne for up to 80 hours. This creates a secondary exposure risk for household members. Employers are required by OSHA to provide decontamination facilities and use licensed specialized laundry services for work clothes; workers should never take contaminated clothing home. If asbestos-contaminated clothing is present at home, it should be wet down, sealed in a labeled container, and taken to a licensed hazardous waste facility or professional asbestos removal company for safe disposal or cleaning.