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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in Kentucky

Linda Molinari
Author: Linda Molinari
Jennifer Lucarelli
Last Updated: 12/16/2025

If you live in the state of Kentucky and have worked there for a significant amount of time, there is a chance that you were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Prolonged exposure to asbestos can lead to serious health problems including mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer and other non-malignant lung impairments.

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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Statistics in Kentucky

Kentucky does not have any known natural asbestos deposits, but that doesn’t mean exposure wasn’t a threat in the state.

  • From 1999-2015, 490 Kentucky residents died from mesothelioma
  • Kentucky has a mesothelioma mortality rate of about 7 people per million annually (Source: CDC)
  • Kentucky has no natural asbestos deposits or any active asbestos prospects (Source: USGS)
  • Greenup County in Kentucky experienced an age-adjusted mesothelioma death rate of about 33 people per million, making it among the top 50 counties in the U.S. with the highest mortality rate from 2000-2004 (Source: CDC)

Asbestos Use Across Kentucky Industries

Since Kentucky has no naturally occurring asbestos, that means the majority of exposure occurred in the workplace or as a result of secondhand exposure from workers in these industries.

Chemical Plants:

Louisville Chemical Plant and Alcoa Corporation relied on crocidolite or “blue asbestos,” which is considered the most lethal kind of asbestos because of its brittle nature. This type of asbestos was perfect for use in chemical plants because of its resistance to highly caustic chemicals.

Military:

Military bases, like Fort Knox and Fort Campbell, used asbestos throughout their construction. Veterans on base, as well as any maintenance workers, were all at risk of exposure to the mineral.

Oil Refineries:

Marathon Refinery Kentucky and Somerset Refinery are just two examples of these operations that relied on asbestos. Because the mineral is so durable, it was a go-to material for equipment in oil refineries, thus putting these workers at a high risk of exposure.

Schools:

Older school buildings throughout the country have problems with asbestos. Kentucky has known asbestos in schools for all age levels, including Ballard Elementary in Jefferson and Carroll County High School in Carrollton. Colleges in the state also have used asbestos in their construction projects. Murray State University has known asbestos throughout many buildings on campus, as well as Eastern Kentucky University.

Power Plants:

Machinery that generates power, like boilers, turbines and generators, often contained asbestos materials to help mitigate the risk of fires or combustion. Though asbestos was used to protect the equipment and workers, plants such as the Paradise Power Plant in Western Kentucky put power plant workers at a high risk of exposure.

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Asbestos Superfund Sites in Kentucky

The Environmental Protection Agency put together a priority list of Superfund sites around the country that needed cleanup from a variety of environmental hazards, like asbestos. Kentucky has a number of sites included on the list, and one with asbestos concerns.

National Southwire Aluminum Company

The 1,100 acre plant in Hawesville began operations back in 1969 as an aluminum reduction company. The National Southwire Aluminum Company was added to the Superfund List in 1994 after investigations found contaminated groundwater and soil from the plant’s operations and waste disposal. These contaminants including a variety of metals, like aluminum and copper, and other materials like asbestos. In 2011, the EPA finished cleanup efforts for the site and it was removed from the Superfund List. The site will continue to be evaluated every 5 years with ongoing maintenance activities.

Asbestos Exposure in Kentucky Cities

Provided below is a list of cities in the state of Kentucky where asbestos use in the workplace is known to have occurred. Click on a city below to see more detailed information about the specific job sites where asbestos exposure occurred.

Asbestos Risks at Other Kentucky Work Sites

Workplace asbestos exposure is also a concern in smaller towns and cities in Kentucky. Select a town below to see the list of its job sites known to have exposed workers to asbestos. Asbestos exposure at any one of the job sites revealed could have placed a worker at risk to develop mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.

Kentucky Asbestos Work Sites
Sources

  1. Bowker, Michael. Fatal Deception: The Terrifying True Story of How Asbestos is Killing America. (New York: Touchstone, 2003.)

  2. Cabrera-Santiago, Manuel et al. “Prevalence of Asbestos-Related Disease Among Electrical Power Generation Workers in Puerto Rico.” Presentation at American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, 2007.

  3. Evans, David and Greg Johnstone. “Asbestos Use Companies and Locations in Kentucky.” All About Malignant Mesothelioma. September 2005.

  4. Geological Research, Analyses and Services Programs. Naturally Occurring Asbestos Locations in the Contiguous U.S. and Alaska. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 25 May 2007.

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Linda Molinari, Editor in Chief at Mesothelioma.com
Written by Linda Molinari Editor in Chief
Jennifer Lucarelli
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