Asbestos Statistics 2026

Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of occupational cancers in the U.S., according to the American Thoracic Society. Asbestos statistics reveal that nearly 40,000 Americans die each year from diseases caused by this harmful material, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and more.

At Sokolove Law, we have over 45 years of experience standing up for families impacted by asbestos-related diseases. Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if we can help you.

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Asbestos Facts & Statistics

Asbestos is a fiber-like mineral that forms naturally in rock deposits. For much of the 20th century, asbestos was heavily used in construction and shipbuilding due to its durability, fire resistance, and insulating properties.

However, when asbestos fibers are released into the air, they may be breathed in or swallowed, potentially causing long-term damage and diseases like mesothelioma 20-50 years after exposure.

Asbestos Facts and Figures for 2026 

  • No level of asbestos exposure is considered safe, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Even a single exposure could put someone at risk of getting sick later in life.
  • It takes 20-50 years after exposure to asbestos for diseases to appear.
  • Up to 5,000 products were made using asbestos, according to the journal Lung Cancer.
  • Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the body’s internal lining. Exposure can also cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and other serious health problems.
  • The number of Americans who died from occupational asbestos-related diseases rose by 20.2% between 1990 and 2019, per BMC Public Health.
  • Many manufacturers of asbestos-containing products knew this material could cause health issues as early as the 1930s, but they hid the risks from workers and consumers to protect their profits.
  • Despite being banned in almost 70 countries, a full U.S. ban on asbestos isn’t in effect.

At Sokolove Law, our mesothelioma law firm has helped more than 9,200 ​​families get compensation for asbestos-related diseases and hold corporations accountable. Contact us now to find out if we can help you.

Asbestos Statistics in the U.S.

For decades, industries across the United States relied on asbestos-containing materials, putting millions of consumers, workers, and families at risk of exposure and serious health issues later in life.

In the mid-20th century, American-based industries used millions of pounds of asbestos every year, according to the Ulster Medical Journal.

Learn more about asbestos statistics in the United States:

  • Every day, around 109 Americans pass away from asbestos-related health complications, according to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO).
  • Between 1940 and 1979, approximately 27 million American workers were exposed to asbestos, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
  • Around 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the United States, in addition to more than 226,000 lung cancer cases.
  • At its peak, American mining operations extracted around 300 million pounds of asbestos from the late 1960s to the start of the 1970s, according to the ATSDR.
  • Asbestos in talcum powder put even more consumers and families at risk of exposure. In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested 53 cosmetic talc products for asbestos. Nearly 20% tested positive, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
  • Roughly 1.3 million U.S. construction and general industry workers are in danger of exposure in the present day, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
  • In 2023 alone, the U.S. imported over 150 tons of asbestos, mainly for use in the chloralkali industry, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
  • Today, approximately 30 million older homes in the U.S. still contain asbestos, according to PBS.

While a partial asbestos ban was passed in the 1980s, it couldn’t protect those already exposed to asbestos from developing health issues later in life.

As a result, older Americans exposed to asbestos decades ago are still at risk of developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other serious diseases.

Worldwide Asbestos Statistics

Countries across the world used asbestos before the dangers were understood by the general public. However, global asbestos use slowed in the 1980s, with numerous countries banning this hazardous material.

Still, the impacts of asbestos continue to be felt today. It’s believed that asbestos is responsible for nearly 50% of all occupational cancer deaths globally, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Find out more about global asbestos statistics: 

  • The use of asbestos dates back to 3,000 B.C. in countries like Egypt and Finland, according to the Journal of Environmental Pollution and Human Health.
  • At its peak, worldwide consumption of asbestos reached almost 5 million tons per year, according to the Annals of Global Health. Over 2 million tons continue to be used yearly.
  • Four main regions account for over 68% of mesothelioma deaths globally: North America, East Asia, South Asia, and Western Europe, according to the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology.
  • India, in particular, continues to use asbestos at high rates. Virtually every home and car in the country uses asbestos-containing products, per the Guardian.
  • It’s believed that over 6 million people in India will suffer from asbestos-related diseases in the future.
  • Mesothelioma made up 40% of all occupational cancers diagnosed in Europe between 2013 and 2021, according to Eurostat.
  • Nearly 70 countries around the world have banned the use of asbestos, per the ADAO.
  • Asbestos statistics in the UK reveal that about 5,000 people in Great Britain pass away every year from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer, per the Health and Safety Executive.
  • Between 6 million and 12 million tons of asbestos were imported into the UK for use throughout the 20th century, per the British Safety Council.
  • Australia was the largest consumer of asbestos during the 1950s, according to the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health.
  • Asbestos death statistics from Australia reveal that roughly 4,000 people die every year from exposure-related diseases, according to the Government of New South Wales.

While many countries are now aware of the dangers asbestos poses, global action to fully ban the use of this toxic material is needed to eliminate mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos Exposure Statistics

Millions of workers were unknowingly exposed to asbestos on a regular basis. Anything from renovating homes or ships to installing insulation or handling raw asbestos in manufacturing could release microscopic fibers into the air.

Exposure to asbestos fibers has caused countless individuals to develop asbestos-related health issues later on in their lives, including serious illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Learn more about asbestos exposure statistics: 

  • Today, approximately 125 million people around the world risk exposure to asbestos through their jobs, according to BMC Cancer.
  • In the United States, an estimated 27 million workers were exposed to asbestos at their jobs between 1940 and 1979, as noted by the ATSDR.
  • Factors associated with a higher risk of asbestos-related diseases include younger age at first exposure, longer duration of exposure, and higher intensity of exposure, per the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center.
  • Presently, construction workers remain among those most commonly exposed to asbestos at their jobs, according to the ATSDR.
  • 93% of men who developed mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at their jobs, per Translational Oncology.
  • Common sources of asbestos exposure included milling, mining, construction, and the manufacturing of asbestos-containing products. Exposures in these roles began to decrease after the 1970s as more protections were put in place.

There is no safe level of asbestos. Typically, the safe level is the lowest level that can be detected. There are standards that the EPA lays out, but the agencies who publish data on these things, such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer, have determined that there’s no safe level of asbestos in the air.”
– Dr. Ian A. Blair, Perelman School of Medicine Scientist

Even being exposed to asbestos for a short period can lead to serious health issues, according to OSHA. However, those exposed on a regular basis face a higher risk of developing lung-related health problems later in life, according to the WHO.

Asbestos Disease Statistics

Asbestos-related diseases include cancers like mesothelioma and lung cancer, as well as serious, noncancerous ones like asbestosis.

Breathing in or swallowing asbestos fibers traps them in the body, which can trigger long-term irritation that eventually leads to cancer and other serious diseases.

Here are key asbestos disease statistics: 

  • Pleural plaques are the most common asbestos-related pleural disease, per the ATSDR. These are hardened nodules of collagen, a protein, found in the lung lining.
  • Asbestos is considered a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO), meaning it’s known to cause cancer.
  • This mineral is the most significant cancer-causing substance that workers face, according to Epidemiology.
  • Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of work-related cancers in the U.S., per the CDC.
  • 50% of people who suffer occupational asbestos exposure develop asbestosis, according to the ATSDR. This is a chronic condition in which the lungs stiffen over time, leading to fatal complications.
  • Pleural effusions (when fluid builds up in the lining of the lungs) develop in 21% of all asbestosis patients, according to Breathe.
  • Asbestos-related illnesses have a 20-50 year latency period (time between exposure to asbestos and symptoms of illnesses), as noted by the EPA.
  • Nearly 40,000 Americans pass away from asbestos-related diseases every year, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
  • Asbestosis is responsible for 613 asbestos-related deaths each year in the U.S., according to the ICOH.
  • Major manufacturers knew of a link between asbestos-containing products and serious illnesses dating back to the 1930s, per the Washington Post, but the truth was hidden to maximize corporate profits.
  • The first lung disease related to asbestos exposure was documented in 1906, according to the ADAO.

There's no way to lower the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease after being exposed. Banning the use of all asbestos-containing materials is essential to preventing illnesses like mesothelioma, according to the WHO.

Those who worked with or around asbestos decades ago can take steps to protect their health by seeing a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of any asbestos-related illnesses, like a persistent cough or shortness of breath.

“I think it's important that if one develops symptoms, particularly respiratory symptoms, that are unusual with a history of asbestos exposure, to let the doctor know.”
– Dr. Dean Fennell, Mesothelioma Researcher

Asbestos & Mesothelioma Statistics

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that affects different parts of the mesothelium, the body's internal lining that protects major organs and structures.

Each year, around 3,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). The only cause of this cancer is asbestos exposure.

Find out more about asbestos and mesothelioma statistics:

  • An estimated 3,161 Americans die of mesothelioma annually, according to the International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH).
  • There are different types of mesothelioma depending on where the cancer develops. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common, affecting the lining of the lungs (pleura) and accounting for 80% of cases.
  • The majority of mesothelioma patients suffered occupational asbestos exposure, according to the Mayo Clinic.
  • The average age of mesothelioma patients at the time of diagnosis is 72 years old, per the ACS.
  • U.S. military veterans account for 33% of all mesothelioma patients, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
  • Mesothelioma is the second-most common cause of death due to asbestos exposure in men, per BMC Public Health.
  • Mesothelioma accounted for the greatest number of asbestos-related lawsuits filed in 2024, per KCIC. A total of 1,907 mesothelioma lawsuits were filed in that year alone.

At Sokolove Law, we've successfully handled more than 9,200 asbestos and mesothelioma claims for families across the country. Find out if we can help you pursue compensation.

Asbestos Lung Cancer Statistics

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure, according to Epidemiology. Up to 15% of all lung cancer cases are related to asbestos exposure, according to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Learn more about asbestos lung cancer statistics:

  • Lung cancer accounts for the most deaths of any asbestos-related disease.
  • In the U.S. alone, around 34,270 people die from asbestos-caused lung cancer every year, per the ICOH.
  • Around the world, 30% of lung cancer deaths are caused by asbestos exposure, per the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
  • Cigarette smoke and asbestos exposure greatly increase the risk of lung cancer. In fact, the odds of getting sick are higher than either just smoking or suffering asbestos exposure alone, per the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
  • Even workers who were exposed to asbestos for as little as 1 month on the job have a higher risk of lung cancer, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
  • In 2024, lung cancer was the second-most common health issue named in asbestos litigation.
  • 1,644 asbestos-related lung cancer claims were filed during that year, per KCIC.

While there is no way to fully prevent lung cancer from asbestos, steps like getting regular screenings and quitting smoking are often good precautionary measures.

Asbestos Cancer Statistics

Outside of mesothelioma and lung cancer, those exposed to asbestos are potentially at risk for a number of different types of cancers.

Asbestos exposure may lead to laryngeal cancer, ovarian cancer, stomach cancer, rectal cancer, and pharyngeal cancer, according to the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center.

Asbestos cancer statistics include: 

  • Ovarian cancer caused by asbestos exposure kills 787 Americans annually, according to the ICOH.
  • Lung cancer and tracheal cancer accounted for the highest rates of asbestos-related deaths, per BMC Public Health. Death rates for these asbestos-related illnesses are also slowly growing over time.
  • Roughly 92% of asbestos lawsuits filed in 2024 centered on some type of cancer, according to KCIC.
  • More than 67,115 talc and ovarian cancer lawsuits are currently pending in a multidistrict litigation (MDL).
  • Asbestos-related ovarian cancer is the second leading cause of death linked to asbestos exposure in women, according to BMC Public Health.
  • 443 people in the U.S. die from asbestos-related laryngeal cancer each year, per the ICOH.

Even limiting asbestos exposure won’t fully protect against cancer, according to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Totally avoiding asbestos is the only way to prevent cancers linked to this mineral.

Telling your doctors about any family history of asbestos exposure, particularly as you age, may help with detecting asbestos-related cancers sooner.

Statistics on Asbestos-Containing Products & Uses

For decades, thousands of products were made with asbestos, including everything from construction materials like cement and paint to cosmetic goods like makeup and talc.

Asbestos was favored for its strength, insulating ability, and resistance to fire. At the time, many workers and consumers didn’t know that asbestos could cause them to get sick later in life.

Facts and figures on asbestos-containing products include: 

  • Between 3,000 and 5,000 products used across a wide range of industries were made with asbestos, as noted by Lung Cancer.
  • Anti-flame tar paper, the first notable asbestos-containing product, was developed in the 1860s, per the Science History Institute Museum and Library.
  • Around 30 million older homes in the U.S. alone still contain products with asbestos, according to PBS.
  • Roofing, gaskets, and friction materials were the leading domestic products that contained asbestos, according to the USGS.
  • Common asbestos-containing products used in buildings include popcorn ceilings, tiles, chimney lining, siding, wall panels, electrical panels, boiler insulation, and vinyl floor tiles, per the Minnesota Department of Health.
  • Notable car parts that contained asbestos included brakes and clutches, per the EPA. Some of these components may contain asbestos even in the present day.
  • More than 90,000 talcum powder lawsuits claim asbestos-contaminated talc products caused users to develop illnesses like mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.
  • The use of asbestos-containing materials in industrialized countries dropped by 75% or more by 1990, after countries started to ban it, per the Journal of Cancer Research and Environmental Health.

”I worked 43 years in the construction business. I was first exposed to asbestos poisoning through a construction business through Sheetrock®, through gaskets, and through and piping all through my career.”
– John, Construction Worker with Mesothelioma & Firm Client

Many workers were exposed to a wide range of asbestos-containing products throughout their careers, particularly if they worked at different job sites or multiple industries that used this harmful material.

Asbestos Information & Statistics on Occupational Exposure

In a majority of cases, people who develop asbestos-related diseases were exposed to this dangerous mineral at their jobs, according to the NCI. This is known as occupational asbestos exposure.

High-risk asbestos job sites included shipyards, mills, mines, construction sites, and automotive shops, among many more, per the NCI.

Asbestos information about on-the-job risks includes:

  • Roughly 27 million workers in the U.S. were exposed to asbestos at their jobs from 1940 to 1979, according to the ATSDR.
  • 58% of insulation workers develop pleural plaques, which are the most common asbestos-related illness, per the ATSDR.
  • 91.6% of mesothelioma fatalities were linked back to occupational asbestos exposure, according to the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology.
  • In 2024, over 45% of asbestos lawsuits were filed over occupational asbestos exposure, while over 54% were for nonoccupational exposures like home renovations or using consumer goods.
  • Exposure to asbestos at work is the biggest risk factor for mesothelioma, according to the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology.
  • Men more commonly worked in jobs with a high risk of occupational asbestos exposure compared to women, according to the Center for Justice and Democracy at New York Law School.
  • In Australia, North America, and Western Europe, more than 90% of mesothelioma deaths were traced back to occupational exposure to asbestos, per the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology.
  • U.S. veterans account for 33% of all mesothelioma patients, largely due to asbestos exposure during U.S. Navy service or while working in shipyards, according to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.
  • Shipyard workers were among the highest-risk groups for exposure. During World War II, roughly 4.5 million people worked in shipyards with asbestos, per the New York Times.

Grinding, sanding, cutting, or otherwise handling asbestos-containing materials can release fibers and dust into the air, putting those nearby at risk of exposure.

Those who worked with asbestos-containing materials didn’t know the dangers. The corporations in charge of manufacturing asbestos-containing products hid the risks for decades, putting their profits ahead of the health of millions of workers.

Statistics on Secondary Asbestos Exposure Risks

Even people who never worked directly with asbestos can still develop asbestos-related diseases. Spouses, children, and other relatives of an at-risk worker could go on to get sick through secondary asbestos exposure.

Secondhand exposure often occurred when those who worked with or around asbestos came home with asbestos fibers stuck to their hair, skin, or clothing. This could spread asbestos fibers throughout their houses, putting loved ones at risk.

Learn more about statistics on secondary asbestos exposure

  • As many as 30% of all U.S. mesothelioma cases are linked back to nonoccupational or secondary exposure, per the Journal of Health and Lung Diseases.
  • Being married to an asbestos worker is the biggest risk factor for mesothelioma other than being directly exposed on the job, according to the Annals of Work Exposure and Health.
  • Washing contaminated clothes through the laundry is the most common way secondary asbestos exposure occurs, as noted by the Center for Justice and Democracy at New York Law School.
  • Household contacts and family members of asbestos workers had double the risk of dying from any type of cancer, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
  • 55%of the women who filed asbestos lawsuits got sick from secondary exposure.

Victims and their loved ones are not at fault for asbestos exposure. Manufacturers of asbestos-containing products had a duty to warn workers and families about the risks of exposure, but this never happened.

As a result, families continue to be impacted by asbestos-related illnesses every year through no fault of their own.

Asbestos Death Statistics

More than 200,000 people globally pass away from asbestos-related health issues, per the WHO. Over 70% of all fatalities from occupational cancers can be traced back to asbestos exposure.

Here are notable asbestos death statistics: 

  • Asbestos is responsible for 1 American death every 13 minutes, according to the ADAO.
  • Nearly 40,000 people in the U.S. die each year from asbestos-related illnesses, per the ICOH.
  • Lung cancer accounts for over 87% of all asbestos-related deaths.
  • Since 1991, over 1.1 million Americans have passed away from asbestos-related health issues.
  • In the UK, roughly 2,500 people die every year from mesothelioma, per the NHS.
  • 10% of Libby, Montana residents have died from asbestos-related illnesses, per PBS, due to a major mine contaminated with asbestos.
  • The 5 states with the highest occupational asbestos death rates were California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Ohio, according to BMC Public Health.
  • Women have lower rates of dying from occupational asbestos exposure, per BMC Public Health.
  • Death rates peak between the ages of 75 and 79 among men exposed to asbestos, as noted by BMC Public Health.
  • For women, mortality rates are highest between the ages of 80 and 84.
  • Between 1999 and 2017, upwards of 278,000 Americans lost their lives due to asbestos-related illnesses, per the EWG.
  • The average mesothelioma payout for wrongful death is over $1 Million, helping families cover funeral costs, leftover medical bills, and additional expenses.

Losing a loved one to an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma is incredibly difficult — especially because, in many cases, the death could have been prevented if manufacturers disclosed the health risks ahead of time.

At Sokolove Law, we may be able to help families get financial compensation for their loss and pursue accountability. Call (800) 647-3434 now to get started.

Asbestos Lawsuit & Mesothelioma Statistics

After someone is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma, families may have the option to pursue compensation by filing an asbestos lawsuit. This money may help cover lost wages, medical expenses, basic living costs, and much more through these legal claims.

For over 45 years, Sokolove Law has helped victims of asbestos exposure understand their legal options and pursue lawsuits to get compensation. We’ve secured more than $5.3 Billion through mesothelioma and asbestos lawsuits to date for families across the nation.

Learn more about asbestos lawsuit & mesothelioma statistics: 

  • The average mesothelioma lawsuit settlement is worth between $1 Million and $1.4 Million.
  • Mesothelioma verdicts award between $5 Million and $11.4 Million on average, with case values depending on factors like exposure history and severity of the illness.
  • In 2024, 3,931 asbestos-related disease lawsuits were filed in the U.S., according to KCIC.
  • 228 lawsuits were filed for nonmalignant asbestos-related diseases.
  • The average asbestos lawsuit names 75 defendants, and financial compensation could be received from each of them.
  • In 2024, men accounted for 83.9% of asbestos-related disease lawsuits, with women making up the remaining 16.1%.
  • The average age of plaintiffs filing asbestos-related lawsuits ranges between 74 and 77 years old.
  • More than 99% of asbestos-related lawsuits result in out-of-court settlement payouts.
  • $30 Billion is believed to still be available in asbestos trust funds set up by bankrupt companies.

"Our clients could receive compensation in as little as 6 weeks. The more likelihood is 2 or 3 months, and then you'll probably continue receiving various compensation for another year."
– Ricky LeBlanc, Mesothelioma Lawyer & Managing Attorney

At Sokolove Law, we can handle all the steps of the legal process for you, allowing you to focus on your health and loved ones while we fight for the compensation you deserve. We take care of it all, from gathering evidence to filing a lawsuit and negotiating payouts.

This means you can focus on recovering and spending time with loved ones while we fight for the compensation you deserve.

See If We Can Help Your Family Too

Since 1979, Sokolove Law has secured over $5.3 Billion for thousands of mesothelioma victims and their families.

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Statistics on Types of Asbestos

There are 6 types of asbestos, including chrysotile, actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, and tremolite. The types belong to two families, which are serpentine (only chrysotile asbestos) and amphibole (all other types of asbestos).

Every type of asbestos causes cancer, as noted by the IARC. There is no safe level of exposure to any type of asbestos fibers.

Find out about asbestos statistics by type: 

  • Chrysotile asbestos: This is far and away the most common type of asbestos, being used in 95% of cases throughout the 20th century, per Environmental Health Perspectives.
  • Actinolite asbestos: This type was typically not used in commercial applications, per the USGS. It ranges in color from dark green to a pale hue. It was often used in drywall, cement, insulation, and paint.
  • Amosite asbestos: Also known as brown asbestos, this was frequently added to construction materials like roofing, cement, and insulation, as noted by Penn Medicine. It was often mined in South Africa, per the Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health.
  • Anthophyllite asbestos: This type may have been used in materials like cement and insulation. However, its overall use in products was limited, according to the Journal of Applied Toxicology.
  • Crocidolite asbestos: Also known as blue asbestos, this type was added to insulation, cement, and tiling. It was the most commonly used of the amphibole asbestos fibers, per the UK Health Security Agency.
  • Tremolite asbestos: This type was sometimes found in plumbing materials, insulation, sealant, and paint. However, it was rarely found in asbestos deposits, so it wasn’t used as much as the other types, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

All types of asbestos had to be mined from the ground and manipulated for use in commercial products. All of these activities could have released fibers into the air, putting workers and their families at risk of developing serious illnesses like mesothelioma 20 to 50 years later.

Asbestos Ban Statistics

Asbestos is currently banned by nearly 70 countries, according to the ADAO, but the U.S. still continues to use this harmful substance.

The EPA technically banned new uses of chrysotile asbestos, the last type being used in the United States, in 2024. However, ongoing appeals seek to overturn the U.S. asbestos ban.

Here’s what to know about asbestos bans: 

  • Notable countries that have banned asbestos include Canada, Germany, Australia, France, and the United Kingdom, according to the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat.
  • Iceland was the first country to ban asbestos in 1983, according to Environmental Health Perspectives.
  • Countries that have yet to ban asbestos include China, India, and Russia, according to the EWG.
  • As recently as 2022, 10 countries, including Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, and India, are blocking UN motions to label chrysotile asbestos as a health hazard, per The Lancet.
  • Potential alternatives to asbestos include calcium silicate, carbon fiber, and minerals like perlite, per BMC Public Health.

It remains to be seen whether the EPA’s proposed U.S. asbestos ban will fully take effect. As recently as 2026, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce attempted to reverse the ban through the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Advocacy organizations like the ADAO also believe the U.S. asbestos ban won’t go far enough. This is because it notably doesn’t address “legacy asbestos,” materials left behind in older buildings like schools or homes.

"The rule therefore eliminates one important source of exposure to asbestos but does not address another urgent public health threat — legacy asbestos-containing products still in use."
– Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization

Advocacy groups like the ADAO continue to push for a global ban on asbestos, including the use of legacy asbestos-containing materials.

Sokolove Law: Supporting Families Harmed By Asbestos Nationwide

Every year, countless families must deal with the effects of devastating illnesses like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis that are caused by asbestos.

At Sokolove Law, our mesothelioma lawyers are here to support you and your loved ones, working to secure meaningful financial payouts for asbestos-related diseases.

Our experienced asbestos law firm has: 

  • Over 45 years of experience handling asbestos-related lawsuits
  • Recovered more than $5.3 Billion for patients and families
  • Successfully helped over 9,200 across all 50 states

We don’t charge any upfront costs or hourly fees, meaning there’s no financial risk to taking legal action with the help of our asbestos lawyers.

Call (800) 647-3434 now or fill out our contact form to find out if we can help you or someone you love.

Asbestos Statistics FAQs

What are the statistics of asbestos?

Once used in as many as 5,000 products for insulation, durability, and fireproofing, asbestos is now considered a deadly carcinogen that’s harmed families across the world. Up to half of all occupational cancer deaths are caused by asbestos, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and 93% of all men diagnosed with this cancer suffered on-the-job asbestos exposure, according to Translational Oncology.

The dangers of asbestos are still affecting families, with over 1.3 million U.S. construction and industry workers at risk of exposure in the present day, per OSHA.

At Sokolove Law, we may be able to help families impacted by asbestos-related illnesses recover compensation. Contact us now to find out if we may be able to assist you.

How common is asbestos exposure?

Asbestos exposure was very common, especially among those working prior to the early 1980s. The ATSDR notes that over 27 million people suffered occupational asbestos exposure between 1940 and 1979.

Those exposed to asbestos could develop mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other serious illnesses 20-50 years later.

How common is mesothelioma after asbestos exposure?

Developing mesothelioma is generally rare after being exposed to asbestos, with only about 3,000 new cases in the U.S. per year, according to the ACS. However, there’s no safe level of exposure to asbestos, and even a single exposure may cause cancer decades later.

Those at the highest risk of mesothelioma suffered regular exposure to asbestos at job sites before the early 1980s, when more aggressive health protections started to be put in place.

Over 91% of people who died from mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at their jobs, as noted by the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology.

What are some important statistics and facts about asbestos?

Many of the most important asbestos facts center on how dangerous this is to human health, as exposure can cause significant health problems decades after the fact.

Notable facts and stats about asbestos include: 

  • Between 3,000 and 5,000 products were made using asbestos, according to the journal Lung Cancer.
  • From 1940 to 1979, approximately 27 million American workers were exposed to asbestos, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
  • Nearly 40,000 Americans pass away from asbestos-related illnesses every year, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
  • Almost 50% of all occupational-related cancer deaths are attributed to asbestos, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  • An average of 109 Americans die from asbestos-related diseases each day, per the ADAO.
  • Companies that made and sold asbestos-containing products actively worked to hide the health risks from the public to keep their profit margins high, valuing money above human life.
  • Asbestos lawsuit payouts for mesothelioma range from $1 Million to $11.4 Million on average, depending on whether the case results in a settlement or trial verdict.

At Sokolove Law, our mesothelioma law firm has retrieved more than $5.3 Billion for families affected by asbestos-related diseases. Call (800) 647-3434 now to find out if we may be able to assist your family.

How much exposure to asbestos is a problem?

Any exposure to asbestos, even in short doses, can lead to cancers like mesothelioma later in life. As a result, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, according to leading health agencies like OSHA.

There are multiple types of asbestos, but all of them are considered carcinogenic to humans. The best way to stay safe is to avoid or limit exposure to any materials that may contain asbestos.

What is the average settlement for asbestos claims?

The average asbestos settlement for mesothelioma is worth $1 Million to $1.4 Million, with even more awarded through trial verdicts.

At Sokolove Law, we have a long history of securing above-average results for mesothelioma patients and their families. Many clients start to receive compensation in as few as 90 days, with additional payouts coming in for months after.

Find out if you qualify now. We'll fight hard to get you everything you're entitled to.

What are the first signs of asbestos exposure?

Common first signs of asbestos-related illnesses include a worsening cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain, per the NCI. These signs are shared by many asbestos diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

If you have possible early symptoms of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related health issues, you can see a doctor and tell them about any exposure history to start getting appropriate testing.

In many cases, mesothelioma isn’t diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage. Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases near death can include rapidly losing weight, struggling to breathe, and extreme fatigue.

How quickly can asbestos affect you?

You likely won’t be immediately affected by asbestos-related diseases. It usually takes 20-50 years for asbestos to trigger illnesses like mesothelioma.

Many of those at the highest risk of getting sick from asbestos were exposed between the 1930s and early 1980s, when thousands of asbestos-containing products were used in a wide range of industries.

Due to the long latency period, many patients diagnosed are older. For instance, newly diagnosed mesothelioma patients are 72 years old on average, per the ACS.

How common is asbestos in homes?

Asbestos is very common in homes built between the 1930s and 1970s. In fact, about 30 million homes in the U.S. still have asbestos-containing materials in place today, according to PBS.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has compiled a list of notable asbestos-containing materials often used in older homes:

  • Artificial ashes
  • Asbestos paper or millboard around fireplaces
  • Insulation
  • Paint
  • Patching compounds
  • Roofing
  • Siding and shingles that use asbestos cement
  • Stove top pads
  • Vinyl floor tiles, sheets, and adhesives
  • Water steam pipes

The only way to know for sure if asbestos is present in your home is to get it tested, according to the EPA. To stay safe, the EPA recommends not touching any materials that could contain asbestos if they are decaying or breaking down.

Instead, contact asbestos abatement contractors who are professionally trained to safely handle this toxic substance.

What is the average payout for asbestos trust funds?

Asbestos trust funds pay out an average of $300,000 to $400,000 across all trusts. At Sokolove Law, we may be able to help you access compensation from asbestos trust funds, which contain an estimated $30 Billion for victims and their families.

Our asbestos attorneys can help you file asbestos trust fund claims from the comfort of your own home, and you may be eligible for payouts from multiple trusts.

Find out your eligibility for asbestos trust fund compensation right now.

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