Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in New York

If your family is here, someone you love either grew up, lived, or worked in New York during the years asbestos was everywhere — the Brooklyn Navy Yard and other shipyards, mid-century construction throughout New York City and the boroughs, the power and utility trades, and upstate manufacturing. Now you’re trying to make sense of how that history connects to a mesothelioma diagnosis decades later. The sections below cover where exposure most often happened in New York, what treatment centers your family may want to know about, and how to navigate VA, workers’ compensation, and other claims that may be available to you.

New York’s industrial legacy — shipbuilding, steam generation, commercial construction, subway and tunnel work — left a long asbestos footprint across all five boroughs and upstate. The Brooklyn Navy Yard alone employed more than 70,000 workers during World War II, many of whom handled asbestos insulation daily. Decades later, New York continues to see mesothelioma diagnoses tied to those exposures, as well as to the 9/11 World Trade Center cleanup effort.

Where asbestos exposure happened in New York

• Brooklyn Navy Yard. One of the largest shipyards in U.S. history. Insulators, pipefitters, welders, and shipfitters faced near-constant asbestos exposure from the 1930s through the 1960s.
• World Trade Center site (post-9/11). First responders, cleanup workers, and area residents were exposed to a toxic mix that included airborne asbestos fibers released from the tower collapse. The WTC Health Program provides medical monitoring and treatment for eligible individuals.
• Power plants. Con Edison, NYPA, and private utility plants across the state used asbestos insulation on boilers, turbines, and steam lines through the late 1970s.
• Commercial construction. New York City’s twentieth-century skyscraper boom relied heavily on asbestos-containing fireproofing, insulation, and ceiling tiles.
• Subway and tunnel work. MTA workers and contractors working in subway tunnels, train maintenance facilities, and power substations encountered asbestos in brake pads, insulation, and gaskets.
• Upstate industry. Steel, automotive, paper, and chemical plants in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany used asbestos products through the 1970s.

A note on time-sensitive considerations for New York families

New York has specific time limits on certain compensation claims related to mesothelioma — generally three years from diagnosis under CPLR 214-c (the “discovery rule”), which counts from when your loved one was diagnosed, not from when exposure happened. The rules are complicated and depend on each family’s situation. Right now, your family’s priority should be your loved one’s care team and treatment plan. When you’re ready, a licensed New York attorney can walk you through the time-sensitive parts of any compensation claim, and our starting-point overview of claims can help you get oriented.

Mesothelioma treatment in New York

When your family is choosing where to seek care for your loved one, second opinions matter — especially with a rare cancer like mesothelioma. New York families have several high-volume specialist programs to consider, both within New York City and within reach by train. Travel grants and lodging assistance are available through several patient-advocacy organizations for families coming from upstate or out-of-state.

New York is home to some of the country’s leading mesothelioma programs, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, and Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Institute. Upstate, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo is an NCI-designated facility with thoracic oncology capability.

New York-specific resources

• New York State Workers’ Compensation Board
• New York State Bar Association — Public Resources
• World Trade Center Health Program: medical monitoring for 9/11-related exposure

Get answers about your next steps

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may have questions about treatment, support, or legal options. MesoCare.org compiles information from federal health agencies and established cancer centers so families have a starting point — we are not a medical provider or a law firm. Start with these resources:

• Understanding mesothelioma — symptoms, types, diagnosis
• Treatment options — surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, clinical trials
• Support resources — financial assistance, caregiver help, mental health
• Legal information — trust funds, compensation claims, VA disability, workers’ comp

MesoCare.org is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, LLP and is informational only. Nothing on this page is medical or legal advice. Speak with your clinical team about treatment and a licensed attorney about legal questions.