Two of Camp Lejeune’s eight water treatment facilities that supply water to the Marine Corps Base were contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 1953 through 1987. Many of those who lived in, or worked at, Camp Lejeune in those years later developed serious illnesses that include cancer. Those who have suffered certain illnesses or who are at-greater risk for developing illness as a result of the contamination include marines, sailors, families of
Camp Lejeune’s Water Treatment Plants
Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant and Hadnot Point Treatment Plant were discovered to be contaminated mostly by two very toxic chemicals.
Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant was contaminated by perchloroethylene. PCE is a colorless liquid often used by dry cleaners. This contamination was found to be coming from a nearby dry cleaning company. Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant’s PCE levels far exceeded current safety standards between November 1953 and February 1987. The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry determined there was a problem.
Hadnot Point Treatment Plant water was contaminated by trichloroethylene (TCE). This volatile anesthetic likely leaked from underground storage tanks, industrial area spills, as well as water disposal sites.
Cancer from Contaminated Water Exposure
Scientific evidence has suggested a link between longtime exposure to PCE or TCE and serious health diseases. These serious illnesses include:
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Breast cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Lung cancer
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Liver disease
- Miscarriages
- Birth defects
Children, Babies increased Illness Risk at Camp Lejeune
CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry released the results of a study in 2013 that began in 2003. The study found children born to mothers who drank Camp Lejeune’s toxic water were four times (4x) more likely to suffer birth defects. These babies also have elevated risk of childhood cancers.
Mercury in Camp Lejeune’s Water
Government officials found 12 pounds of elemental mercury at the Hadnot Point Water Treatment Plant in 2012. They took the water plant offline for several weeks to clean up the problem.
Common symptoms of mercury toxicity include:
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vision problems
- A metallic taste
- Blood pressure increase
Pregnant women and new mom can also pass mercury poisoning to their unborn and newly-born kids. Young kids are also more likely than adults to be vulnerable to mercury vapors because they breathe faster and have smaller lungs.
Camp Lejeune Contamination Chemical Waste
Camp Lejeune housed those who serve in U.S. Marine Corps, along with their family members. Many hundreds of thousands of individuals drank the camp’s contaminate tap water daily. Years later they started to see cancers and a litany of other serious health issues.
Some people who lived at the camp base drank the toxic water between 1953 and 1987 have said they believe officials knew dangerous chemicals were contaminating the camp’s water. These accusations led to more investigations to discover who knew of the camp’s water contamination. What, exactly, did the responsible government authorities know and when did they know it?
The Janey Ensminger Act
The Janey Ensminger Act of 2012 helps those injured by Camp Lejeune water receive medical attention. Some 750,000 people who suffered ill health from Camp Lejeune water exposure might be helped by this act.
Camp Lejeune Survivors can seek justice
Those marines and sailors who have served the USA, along with their families who lived at Camp Lejeune, can seek justice for their health problems related to the camp’s contaminated water.
Plaintiffs’ attorneys believe that Camp Lejeune survivors injured way by the negligence of others deserve to be compensated for their injuries. Most such lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means that they do not get paid unless they achieve financial compensation for their clients. Consequently, most plaintiffs’ lawyers’ clients do not need to pay for attorneys to handle their case. Typically, a person hiring a plaintiff’s lawyer to represent her will pay the lawyer who handled her case only if that hired lawyer wins compensation for the client.
RELATED
- Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Attorneys
- Senate passes Camp Lejeune Justice Act
- Camp Lejeune Water Contamination settlement may be possible
by Matthews & Associates
