The Tragedy of Camp Lejeune

What is Camp Lejeune and what happened there?

Camp Lejeune is one of the biggest—and busiest—military bases in the United States. Located in North Carolina on the Atlantic Ocean, Camp Lejeune’s most dubious claim to fame recently is being implicated in one of the most extensive toxic water scandals in the United States. Between 1953 and 1987, those stationed at and working at Camp Lejeune were potentially exposed to contaminated drinking water. The water that those at the Camp drank, bathed in, cooked with, and washed their clothing with contained Benzene, PCE, TCE, and vinyl chloride in dangerous amounts. Other chemicals were found as well, however, these were the most dangerous, and found in the highest concentrations.

PCEs are solvents used in dry cleaning, textile processing, metal cleaning, and other industrial processes. A drycleaning business near the base was dumping chemicals into the drains, which seeped into the wells that supplied the Camp with their water. PCE is absorbed orally, through inhalation, and through skin exposure. When the body is exposed to PCE, the chemicals travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, targeting the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. As PCE degrades, it becomes a part of TCE, DCE, and vinyl chloride. TCE is known to cross the placenta, causing serious birth defects.  

What Cancers and Other Diseases Were Caused by Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water? Thousands of those who lived and worked at the Camp were diagnosed with severe illnesses like certain cancers, Parkinson’s disease, infertility, miscarriages, and birth defects.  PCE can cause liver and kidney diseases, liver cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and other types of cancers. It can also cause non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other blood diseases. PCE levels at the Tarawa Terrace water treatment and supply facility at Camp Lejeune were dangerously high for at least 346 months—almost three decades. The EPA’s maximum safe level of PCE in drinking water is 5 ug/L. The maximum level of PCE detected in Camp Lejeune water samples was in 1985 and was 215 parts per billion (ug/L). The primary source of that contamination was ABC One-Hour Cleaners.

What Does the EPA Have to Say About the Camp Lejeune Toxic Water? The EPA labeled Camp Lejeune a “major polluter” as far back as the 1970s. At that time, those in charge of the camp were asserting they were properly disposing of waste, however later it was found the Marine Corps were dumping oil and other industrial wastewater into storm drains. Further, potentially radioactive materials—and dog carcasses that had been used to test radioactive materials—were buried on the grounds at Camp Lejeune. Although the EPA had not yet regulated such chemicals as TCE, PCE, and benzene, once environmental regulations were finally in place and the military chemists tested the drinking water in 1980, still nothing was done.

The Marines claim they did not receive the results of the 1980 tests until 1982, but even in 1982 nothing was done to protect those living and working at Camp Lejeune. Finally, Grainger Laboratories, an outside lab, tested the water at Camp Lejeune, determining the raw water at the treatment plant was contaminated with solvents. This meant that the wells themselves were contaminated, but the wells were not tested until 1984. After having their test results ignored by the Marine Corps at the base, Grainger finally took their test results to the state of North Carolina. Finally, in late 1984 and early 1985, ten contaminated wells at Camp Lejeune were closed.  

What Are the Legal Remedies Associated with Camp Lejeune? If you or a loved one was exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, then later developed a health condition associated with the toxic water or died, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit. Having a highly experienced Camp Lejeune lawyer to discuss your legal options and guide you through the process of filing under the PACT Act is extremely important.

Print
0 Comments
Please login or register to post comments.

WARNING: Do not send any information in any email through this website if you consider the information confidential or privileged.

I understand that by submitting my contact information to Sullo & Sullo LLP for review, I consent to messages regarding this legal matter as well as marketing for other potential legal matters in the future without limitation at standard messaging and data rates unless terminated by me in writing. I further understand that my submission of any and all information in response to this website does NOT create a lawyer-client relationship between myself and Sullo & Sullo, LLP and/or its lawyers, and that any and all information submitted is NOT confidential or privileged. I further acknowledge that, unless Sullo & Sullo, LLP subsequently enters into an Attorney-Client relationship with me, any and all information I provide will NOT be treated as confidential or privileged, and any such information may be used against me and/or for the benefit of current or future clients of Sullo & Sullo, LLP. ...READ ENTIRE DISCLAIMER
Receive an Immediate Response
ANDREW SULLO IS A TOP 100 NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYER 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019
Obtener una Respuesta Inmediata
Andrew Sullo – 100 Mejores Abogados Nacional | 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017


4.6/5.0

STARS ON YELP
WITH OVER 400 REVIEWS*

*AS OF JANUARY 2024



Andrew Sullo has been named a

TOP 100 NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYER*
2013-2024

*BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS

 

CALL NOW FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION
(800) 730-7607
CALL NOW FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION (713) 839-9026 CALL NOW FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION (713) 335-9485


Andrew Sullo is a recipient of the

AVVO CLIENT'S CHOICE AWARD*
2016, 2017, 2019-2024

*GIVEN BY AVVO


Justice

Andrew Sullo is a Member of the

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF JUSTICE
2013-2024

*GRANTED BY THE AAJ

 

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF ANOTHER, CONTACT SULLO & SULLO IMMEDIATELY.
CALL NOW
(800) 730-7607
CALL NOW
(713) 839-9026
CALL NOW
(713) 335-9485

GET LEGAL HELP