Mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of cancer that develops as a result of asbestos exposure.

By the 1940s, while the health hazards of this mineral were recognized, asbestos was still used up to the late 1990s, in construction, shipbuilding and insulation until the late 1990s.

Many of the soldiers who worked for the U.S. military at this time also performed work in these industries or were stationed at military sites where asbestos was being used.

Today, many years after being exposed, veterans are now at risk of developing mesothelioma. Because mesothelioma can develop decades after exposure, many patients can confuse early symptoms for conditions that are less severe, including pneumonia or more treatable forms of lung cancer.

In the U.S., about one-third of the approximately 3,000 cases diagnosed each year are veterans. The most prevalent and deadly type of this malignancy is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the outer lining of the lungs. Unfortunately, people with pleural mesothelioma have lower survival rates and treatment delays because of the high probability of misdiagnosis.

A National Mesothelioma Registry was suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in an attempt to enhance mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment.

New cases will be tracked in real-time through this registry, which is configured to operate as a centralized database. The registry could overcome the shortcomings of the present cancer reporting system, which takes years to provide actual data rather than estimations, by taking this method to mesothelioma detection.

According to this, the registry could improve research opportunities by offering a more rapid and precise record of mesothelioma cases, enabling larger and more varied patient samples in clinical studies. This, in turn, could accelerate the development of better diagnostic tools and treatment options.

Notably, with the implementation of asbestos regulations, this mineral is almost completely out of use today, yet new mesothelioma cases still emerge. Moreover, as asbestos was used for more than half a century, it is now safer to leave it undisturbed. Because of this, some states now have restricted development in contaminated areas, while decontamination efforts can cost billions. Lawrence County in Ohio experiences this conundrum in several locations.

Mesothelioma risk in Ohio

In Ohio, from 1999 to 2017, a total of 12,697 asbestos-related deaths were recorded, from which 2,353 were identified as being caused by mesothelioma. A total number of 80 asbestos-related deaths were registered in Lawrence County for the same time period.

The risk of contamination is particularly high In Lawrence as asbestos was used for both industrial and military buildings and structures. This now contributes to long-term asbestos contamination and poses a significant public health concern. One area of particular concern is the former South Point Biomass facility. This building was originally constructed as a military ordnance plant during World War II, and asbestos was used here throughout this process. Subsequently, South Point is now one of the most affected sites.

In 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency initiated investigations in the area to assess the extent of the asbestos contamination. The agency estimated that millions of dollars would be necessary for clean-up. These efforts began in 2019, targeting nearly 224,000 square feet of hazardous material. Yet, some areas remain unsuitable for redevelopment because of the complexity and cost of remediation.

Eventually, in 2022, a $3.2 million grant was awarded through federal funding to support asbestos remediation efforts in the area, including projects at the South Point site and other contaminated buildings, such as the First National Bank in Ironton, the U.S. Bank Building, the Masonic Temple, and the Chesapeake Community Center.

Why a national mesothelioma registry is needed

Even if the number of mesothelioma cases is decreasing, the National Registry is still crucial for monitoring new cases, enhancing early detection, and advancing treatment research. This is particularly relevant for areas where many buildings and facilities were constructed using asbestos. Most places pose a new threat to residents, which may translate into future mesothelioma cases. For veterans, the national registry may finally provide more opportunities for early detection and treatment and opportunities for taking part in clinical trials testing the newest treatments available.

Jonathan Sharp serves as the CFO of the Environmental Litigation Group, P.C., where he oversees financial data and analysis and asset management.