The water contamination at Camp Lejeune has been a long-standing issue for the Marine Corps. From 1953 to 1987, military personnel and their families were routinely exposed to water containing a chemical called Tetrachloroethylene (PCE). The chemical, among others, was dumped directly into the drinking water supply and piped into private wells serving the area.

Tetrachloroethylene found in the water at Camp Lejeune has been linked to several medical conditions, including kidney cancer, ulcerative colitis, and several forms of anemia. Exposure to the chemical during fetal development has also been linked to miscarriages and birth defects.

What is Tetrachloroethylene?

Tetrachloroethylene, commonly known as perchloroethylene (PCE) or PERC, is a synthetic chemical that has been used in dry cleaning processes since the 1940s. It is a common solvent found in many households. It is also a key ingredient in a number of industrial products, including paints, adhesives, and pesticides. 

The chemical has been linked to a number of adverse health effects in humans and wildlife, including kidney cancer and liver damage. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), long-term exposure to PCE can increase the risk of developing tumors in the liver, lungs, colon, and other areas of the body.

 It can also affect the nervous system and cause dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. In addition, exposure to PCE during pregnancy can cause reproductive problems, miscarriages, stillbirths, and birth defects in newborn children.

What Exposure Levels Were At Risk Of Having These Health Problems?

According to the ATSDR, people exposed to high levels of PCE in the workplace may experience certain health effects at concentrations as low as 0.5 ppm. However, the effects of exposure at the levels found in Camp Lejeune were not well documented until the 1970s. At that time, military officials began receiving reports of abnormal cancer rates among Camp Lejeune residents.

 Additional studies conducted in the 1990s confirmed that there was a correlation between exposure to PCE in the water and an increased risk of a variety of health problems among members of the Marine Corps and their families. At extremely high levels, exposure to the chemical has been associated with the development of a rare form of liver cancer known as hepatocholangiocarcinoma (HCC). The incidence of HCC among former Marines at Camp Lejeune is roughly 10 times higher than the general population.

What is the Government Doing to Address the Problem?

In 1987, the EPA issued a health advisory for persons living near the Camp Lejeune water supply system to reduce exposure to PCE. This warning was based on a study that found that the risk of liver cancer associated with exposure to the chemical was comparable to that of exposure to dioxins and other toxic chemicals. However, this warning did little to stem the tide of illness. 

According to federal health officials, more than 600,000 individuals are believed to have been affected by the contamination at Camp Lejeune. Since the 1980s, hundreds of military personnel and their families have filed lawsuits seeking compensation for the damage they suffered due to being exposed to PCE. In recent years, dozens of lawsuits against the government have been settled, but many others continue to languish in the legal system.

Legal Options

What can I do if I believe I am harmed by contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune? If you or a family member experienced health problems as a result of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you might be entitled to financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, these claims are handled by personal injury attorneys who specialize in cases involving exposure to toxic substances like PCE. 

These attorneys help people like you file claims and receive compensation from the government and private corporations that were responsible for causing your injuries. Even if you were stationed at Camp Lejeune during the time period when contamination was present, you might be able to file a claim if you are now suffering from the effects of PCE exposure. Contact an attorney in your area to discuss your case and learn more about your legal options today.

Conclusion

PCE contamination of Camp Lejeune veterans’ water is a very real problem that has been well-documented by environmental experts and government officials for decades. According to some estimates, as many as 1 million people may have been exposed to these chemicals while they were stationed at the base. Health experts have suggested that many of these individuals are now at risk of developing serious health problems as a result. Water contamination is a global issue.

Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to reduce your risk of contracting these problems later in life. Drinking filtered or bottled water whenever possible can help you avoid harmful contaminants in the water. You should also avoid drinking unfiltered tap water at home or in the workplace and only use products that the Food and Drug Administration has approved. 

Finally, you should limit your exposure to certain chemicals that are commonly found in household products, like pesticides and cleaning supplies. Taking these steps can help protect you against potential health problems and help you live a long, healthy, and happy life.