Camp Lejeune, a U.S. Marine Corps base in North Carolina, casts a long shadow. Its history is not just one of valor and service, but also of a hidden enemy—contaminated water.
For a staggering 34 years, from 1953 to 1987, the base’s drinking water supply harbored a toxic cocktail of chemicals. These carcinogens seeped from leaky underground storage tanks and industrial sites, silently poisoning those who called Camp Lejeune home.
This environmental catastrophe has impacted inconceivably many human lives. Many residents developed rare cancers, reproductive disorders, and a range of other debilitating illnesses.
In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the specifics of this crisis and the nature of the toxins found in the tainted waters. Moreover, we will discuss the ongoing battle for justice waged by those forever impacted by Camp Lejeune’s poisoned past.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Among the most insidious toxins lurking in Camp Lejeune’s water were volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These harmful chemicals included:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Benzene
Military equipment commonly uses TCE, a known carcinogen. Studies have linked it to kidney cancer, liver cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This contaminant surpassed safety thresholds by a significant margin, reaching an astonishing 3,400 times the allowable levels.
PCE, used in dry cleaning operations, has been associated with bladder cancer, multiple myeloma, and leukemia.
Studies have revealed a disturbing association between benzene exposure and a cluster of blood cancers, with acute myeloid leukemia taking center stage. This aggressive form of cancer disrupts the production of healthy blood cells, leaving the body vulnerable to infections and other complications.
Benzene can also trigger other blood disorders, further jeopardizing a person’s well-being.
What makes the presence of these VOCs in Camp Lejeune’s water even more egregious is that military officials were aware of the contamination as early as 1980.
According to TorHoerman Law, this inexcusable neglect allowed the toxic exposure to continue, impacting over a million lives and setting the stage for a health crisis that continues to unfold to this day.
Heavy Metals and Other Contaminants
Heavy metals and other harmful pollutants tainted Camp Lejeune’s water in addition to the volatile organic compounds.
The base’s water supply contained alarming levels of mercury, a potent neurotoxin. Direct contact with this substance can wreak havoc on the body’s delicate systems, especially the nervous system, kidneys, and digestive tract.
Young children and fetuses are at even greater risk. Exposure during these critical developmental stages can lead to delays in learning and cognitive abilities, as well as lasting problems with the nervous system and vital organs.
Camp Lejeune’s water contains lead, another heavy metal known to accumulate in the body over time. This toxic metal disrupts the delicate dance of brain development, hindering the formation of vital connections between neurons.
High levels of lead exposure, exceeding 70 g/dL in the bloodstream, can trigger a cascade of devastating symptoms. Ataxia, a disorder characterized by problems with balance and coordination, can rob children of their mobility. In the most tragic cases, coma, convulsions, and even death can occur.
Vinyl Chloride is another culprit, notorious for its cancer-causing properties. Improper waste disposal practices near Camp Lejeune have led to its presence in the base’s water. This toxic trespasser poses a serious cancer threat to those who unknowingly consumed the contaminated water.
The combination of heavy metals and other contaminants in Camp Lejeune’s water created a toxic cocktail with far-reaching health consequences. The synergistic effects of these pollutants led to a wide range of chronic illnesses and debilitating conditions among those exposed.
The Fight for Justice and Accountability
For decades, veterans exposed to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune faced a double blow – battling serious health issues and an uphill fight for compensation.
Before 2022, legal complexities obscured the path to justice. A glimmer of justice emerged for those impacted by Camp Lejeune’s poisoned past. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act finally opened a path to compensation for the affected veterans.
This act offered a long-awaited opportunity for veterans, civilian workers, and their dependents to seek payout for Camp Lejeune induced toxic water exposure.
However, the road to financial relief remains bumpy. Initial data collection efforts, while comprehensive, left some potentially eligible individuals behind.
This, coupled with the sheer volume of claims, nearly 150,000 according to recent updates, has created a backlog.
Time is crucial for many claimants, particularly those facing life-threatening conditions. Traditional legal proceedings are notoriously slow and intricate. This adds more stress to their already burdened lives.
The Camp Lejeune crisis highlights a critical need for streamlined claims processes, prioritizing the well-being of those impacted by environmental negligence. Advocacy efforts and ongoing legal battles aim to ensure that the light of justice shines on all those poisoned by Camp Lejeune’s tainted water.
The Issue With Diagnosing Illnesses
Adding another layer of complexity to the fight for compensation is the challenge of definitively linking illnesses to the Camp Lejeune water crisis.
Many of the health problems associated with contaminated water, like certain cancers and neurological disorders, can have various contributing factors. This makes it difficult for veterans to establish a direct causal relationship between their illness and their time at Camp Lejeune.
Furthermore, some health conditions take years, even decades, to develop after exposure. This creates a significant gap between the contamination period (1953-1987) and the onset of symptoms, making it even harder to pinpoint the cause.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 does not have a presumption of service connection for illnesses. This means veterans diagnosed with specific conditions have to prove the illness has stemmed directly from their time at Camp Lejeune.
Navigating the claims process and securing a diagnosis remain significant hurdles for many affected individuals.
