For years, the water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with a dangerous chemical called PCE. However, an off-base dry cleaner used the chemical, and the groundwater became contaminated due to spills and improper disposal practices.
The water contamination at Camp Lejeune resulted in several serious health problems for the people exposed to it. In addition to causing cancer, the chemical has also been linked to congenital disabilities, liver damage, and neurological problems.
As a result of the water contamination, the Marine Corps has been working to clean up the water at Camp Lejeune and provide compensation for the people affected.
What caused the Camp Lejeune water contamination?
In the early 1980s, residents of Camp Lejeune began to notice a strange taste and odor in their tap water. Tests revealed that the water was contaminated with various chemicals, including PCE (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene).
The source of the contamination was the waste disposal practices at ABC One-Hour Cleaners, an off-base dry cleaning firm. For years, the company dumped its chemical waste into an unused well, which eventually leached into the water supply.
As a result of the contamination, many residents of Camp Lejeune developed severe health problems, including cancer and congenital disabilities. Today, the Camp Lejeune water contamination is considered one of the worst environmental disasters in American history.
What contaminants were in the water at Camp Lejeune?
Tests from routine water treatment plant sampling and samples of water supply wells revealed that trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride (VC), and benzene were present in some drinking water sources at Camp Lejeune. They are all colorless chemicals with a somewhat sweet taste and odor.
Benzene is a known carcinogen, and exposure to TCE and PCE has been linked to liver damage, kidney cancer, and other health problems.
In addition to these chemicals, the water at Camp Lejeune was also contaminated with high levels of gross beta radiation. This form of radiation can cause cancer, congenital disabilities, and other health problems.
What are the health problems associated with the Camp Lejeune water contamination?
Exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has been linked to several health problems, including cancer, congenital disabilities, and liver damage.
Cancer: The chemicals present in the water at Camp Lejeune are known carcinogens, and exposure to them has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. In particular, people exposed to the water have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, leukemia, and bladder cancer.
Congenital disabilities: The water contamination at Camp Lejeune has also been linked to congenital disabilities. Babies born to mothers exposed to contaminated water are at an increased risk of developing severe health problems, including congenital disabilities of the heart and brain.
Bottomline
The Camp Lejeune water contamination is considered one of the worst environmental disasters in American history. The water was contaminated with various chemicals, including PCE, TCE, VC, and benzene. Exposure to contaminated water has been linked to cancer, congenital disabilities, and other health problems.
