Long before the dangers of asbestos became widely acknowledged, this natural mineral had already secured a powerful foothold in the industrial and military expansion of the country.

In fact, from the late 1800s onward, it was heavily integrated into manufacturing facilities, construction materials, transportation corridors and defense infrastructure, mainly because of its low cost and fireproofing and insulating properties. As this reliance continued to spread, its reach inevitably extended into local communities such as Excelsior Springs, where many workers and service members operated in asbestos-tainted environments.

The consequences, however, were not immediately apparent. Inhaled fibers could remain dormant for an extended period before manifesting as serious diseases. Yet even with this documented harm, no comprehensive dataset exists to quantify the scope of exposure and its lasting toll, and critical records remain buried in sealed settlements and fragmented repositories that rar…