Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and many Marine veterans were likely exposed to asbestos during their military service.
This dangerous mineral could be found in ships, vehicles, and buildings across Marine Corps bases between the 1930s and early 1980s.
At the time, the Marine Corps didn’t know the dangers of asbestos-containing products — private companies did, though, and hid the risks to keep making money.