Camp Lejeune Water Contaminants

Camp Lejeune is a United States Marine Corps base located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. From the 1950s to the 1980s, the base's water supply was contaminated with a variety of chemicals, including trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride, and benzene. These chemicals are known to cause a variety of health problems, including cancer, birth defects, and neurological disorders.

The contamination was discovered in the early 1980s, but the Marine Corps did not take steps to clean up the water supply until the mid-1980s. By that time, millions of people had been exposed to the contaminated water.

The health effects of the Camp Lejeune contamination are still being studied. However, there is evidence that exposure to the chemicals has caused an increased risk of cancer, birth defects, and neurological disorders.

The United States government has acknowledged the health risks associated with the Camp Lejeune contamination. In 2013, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established a presumptive service connection for veterans who developed certain diseases after being exposed to the contaminated water. This means that veterans who develop these diseases are presumed to have been exposed to the chemicals at Camp Lejeune and are eligible for VA benefits.

The Camp Lejeune contamination is a serious environmental and health issue. The government has taken some steps to address the problem, but more needs to be done to ensure that the health of those who were exposed to the contaminated water is protected.

If you were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and you have developed a health problem that you believe may be related to the contaminated water, you should contact the VA to see if you are eligible for benefits. You can also contact the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 website for more information.