Camp Lejeune water contamination

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination refers to the contamination of drinking water systems at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, United States, from the 1950s through February 1985. This environmental issue is notable for the extent of the contamination and the significant health impacts it had on military personnel, their families, and civilian workers at the base.

Background

Camp Lejeune, established in 1942, is a United States Marine Corps base that has housed thousands of military personnel and their families. In the early 1980s, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were discovered in two of the eight water treatment plants on the base: the Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace water treatment plants. The primary contaminants included trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride, which are known to be harmful to human health.

Sources of Contamination

The contamination at the Tarawa Terrace plant was primarily attributed to PCE, a dry cleaning solvent, which was improperly disposed of by an off-base dry cleaning firm, ABC One-Hour Cleaners. The Hadnot Point plant's contamination was linked to a variety of sources, including leaking underground storage tanks, industrial area spills, and waste disposal sites.

Health Effects

Exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has been associated with several adverse health effects. Studies have found increased risks of certain cancers, including leukemia, bladder cancer, and breast cancer, as well as birth defects and other health conditions such as neurological disorders and liver disease. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has conducted several studies to assess the health impacts on those exposed to the contaminated water.

Legislation and Compensation

In response to the water contamination issue, the U.S. government has enacted legislation to provide health care and compensation to affected veterans and their families. The Janey Ensminger Act, signed into law in 2012, provides health care benefits to military personnel and their families who were exposed to the contaminated water and developed specific diseases as a result. Additionally, the Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 allows those affected to file claims for compensation.

Current Status

The water systems at Camp Lejeune have been in compliance with current safe drinking water standards since March 1987. Ongoing efforts include monitoring the water supply and conducting further research to understand the long-term health effects of exposure to the contaminated water.

See Also

• Environmental issues in the United States
• Health effects of pesticides
• Toxicology
• United States Environmental Protection Agency