If you or a loved one served at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987, you may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water.
Individuals who lived in the area during this period have been reported to suffer several medical complications caused by the toxic Camp Lejeune water.
What was in the Water?
For over three decades, the water supply at Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River contained harmful chemicals.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets strict safety limits for drinking water. Unfortunately, testing revealed that the Camp Lejeune water supply contained a variety of chemicals exceeding these limits.
While there were many contaminants, some of the most concerning include:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE): This solvent was found at alarming levels, particularly at the Hadnot Point water treatment facility. Testing showed TCE concentrations as high as 1,400 parts per billion (ppb), a staggering 280 times higher than the safe limit of 5 ppb.
- Perchloroethylene (PCE): Another solvent, PCE, was primarily detected at the Tarawa Terrace water treatment facility. Levels reached as high as 215 ppb, which is 43 times greater than the safe limit of 5 ppb.
- Other Contaminants: While TCE and PCE were the most prominent toxins, other chemicals like dichloroethane (DCE), vinyl chloride, and benzene were also present, raising concerns about their potential health effects.
These contaminants likely originated from leaking underground storage tanks, industrial waste disposal sites, and nearby cleaning facilities.
Long-term exposure to this tainted water has been linked to a wide range of serious health problems.
The Health Conditions that Victims Have Suffered Over the Years
The human body is remarkably resilient, but prolonged exposure to toxins can have a cumulative effect. Here’s a closer look at the health conditions potentially associated with Camp Lejeune water contamination:
Cancers
Several types of cancer have been linked to exposure to the contaminants found in the Camp Lejeune water supply. The most common types are:
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Adult leukemia
- Esophageal cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Miscarriages
Studies suggest an increased risk of miscarriage among pregnant women who consumed the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
Birth Defects
Children conceived by parents while they were stationed at Camp Lejeune during the contamination period may be at an increased risk for certain birth defects.
Aplastic Anemia and other Myelodysplastic Syndromes
These are blood disorders that affect bone marrow function, leading to a decrease in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Parkinson’s Disease
A neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, balance, and speech. Research suggests a possible link between exposure to TCE and an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Wrapping Up
The levels of TCE and PCE in the Camp Lejeune water supply far exceeded what’s considered safe. This long-term exposure to these toxins is likely linked to the various health problems faced by veterans and their families.
These victims have every right to file a case against the body responsible for all the trouble they have suffered. If you are one of such victims, contact a lawyer today.
