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Which Toxins Are in the Water at Camp Lejeune?

Hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to harmful chemicals while working and living at Camp Lejeune Marine Corp Base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The potential exposure occurred over a span of at least 30 years. As such, contact with toxic substances is thought to have caused victims to suffer birth defects, many forms of cancer, and other harmful diseases.

Some investigators believe the U.S. Military covered up this contamination and its devastating effects on the health of servicemen and women and their families. So now U.S. lawmakers and the President of the United States have approved the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA). The new law allows victims and their families to seek injury and wrongful death compensation from the federal government.

Those who lived or worked on Camp Lejeune, or knew someone who did, understandably, have a lot of questions about how this was allowed to happen. They may also wonder just exactly what was allowed to seep into the wells at Camp Lejeune.

Find out if you’re eligible for compensation on our comprehensive page here: Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims.

The Toxic Chemicals Found in Camp Lejeune Well Water

Four chemicals found in Camp Lejeune water have likely caused the most harm to those who drank and came in contact with toxic water.

  • Perchloroethylene (PCE)
  • Trichloroethylene (TCE)
  • Benzene
  • Vinyl Chloride

Well-testing performed in 1982 found these main contaminants in the water systems providing service to Camp Lejeune.  These findings were detailed by The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

But the list of toxic substances doesn’t end there. According to some reports, traces of dozens of chemicals were discovered in the water systems supplying Camp Lejeune houses, offices, barracks, hospital rooms, and other facilities.

PCE Contamination in Camp Lejeune Water Wells

PCE is used in the dry-cleaning process and as a degreaser. TCE and PCE are chemicals categorized as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  VOCs are a group of chemicals including solvents and fuels that evaporate easily. PCE degrades in groundwater over time to form trichloroethylene (TCE), 1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE), and vinyl chloride.

Most of the PCE found in Camp Lejeune water supplies likely came from a dry-cleaning business that opened near the base in 1953.

Tests show that PCE levels in the water treatment facility were at levels over 40 times beyond safe limits at the Tarawa water plant at Camp Lejeune. This is according to the National Institute of Health.

The ATSDR reports that there is sufficient evidence to link PCE exposure to bladder cancer. More research is needed to prove PCE’s association with other illnesses, but evidence suggests victims may have also experienced higher rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and end-stage renal disease.

There is also limited research associating exposure to many different types of cancer including breast cancer and lung cancer. A possible link to birth defects and neurological damage is also noted.

TCE Contamination in Camp Lejeune Water Wells

TCE is a solvent and degreaser and is used to clean equipment and tools. Wells at the Hadnot water plant on Camp Lejeune were found to contain TCE levels 275 times over the safe limit in water samples that were tested. The water was likely tainted by several on-base sources through spills and leaks in underground tanks.

The ATSDR finds that there is sufficient evidence to link PCE exposure to kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cardiac defects.

More research is needed to prove TCE’s association with other illnesses, but evidence suggests victims are also at higher risk of leukemia, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, Parkinson’s disease, and scleroderma. There is evidence linking TCE contact to a higher risk of many different forms of cancer.

Benzene and Vinyl Chloride Exposure for Camp Lejeune Workers

Smaller amounts of Benzene and Vinyl Chloride were detected in water at Camp Lejeune. Benzene is used to make other chemicals that are utilized to create plastics, resins, and nylon. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil and gasoline.

There is sufficient research done to link benzene exposure to higher risks of leukemias and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In limited studies, benzene exposure has been linked to multiple myeloma.

Vinyl Chloride is a byproduct of PCE and TCE degradation. It is used in the process to form polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is used to make a variety of plastic products, including pipes, and wire and cable coatings.

The ATSDR states that there is sufficient evidence to link vinyl chloride exposure to liver cancer cases in Camp Lejeune victims. These two substances are suspected of causing many other health hazards.

Who Can Seek Compensation Over Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?

A bill allowing victims of Camp Lejeune’s water contamination to file injury claims against the federal government was enacted on August 10, 2022. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act empowers thousands of victims suffering from health issues to seek financial support from the U.S. Department of Defense.

If you or a family member were at Camp Lejeune for an aggregate of at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, you may be eligible for compensation. That 30-day requirement doesn’t have to be continuous.

Eligible victims and their families must prepare to present evidence of their health issues and their military service in order to secure long overdue compensation. Victims should begin collecting documentation on their illness and their time spent at Camp Lejeune. Talk with a legal professional to find out if they have a case and what it may be worth.

Maison Law is Available to Help California’s CLJA Claimants:

Maison Law has made itself available to represent California’s victims of cancer and other serious illnesses along with those who have lost a family member after exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

If you or a loved one sustained injuries from water contamination in Camp Lejeune, you might be eligible for compensation.

Contact attorney Martin Gasparian for a free, no-obligation case consultation for you and/or your family.

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