Understanding the Health Risks for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Military service members and family members living on base at coastal North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune may have been exposed to toxic substances through Camp Lejeune water contamination. The toxic substances included volatile organic compounds including benzene, vinyl chloride, polyfluoroalkyl substances, and tetrachloroethylene. The impacts of the contaminating substances have been undeniable and devastating.

The long-term health effects associated with exposure have affected numerous persons. Studies have shown that children and newborns who were exposed to contaminated water were more susceptible to illnesses.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, health effects from exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in water include but are not limited to the following:

• Neurological effects, such as impaired cognitive performance, impaired neurobehavioral performance, and epilepsy;
• Kidney dysfunction;
• Liver impairment;
• Immune system impairment;
• Bloor disorders;
• Developmental disorders;
• Reproductive disorders;
• Cancer, including bladder cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, cervical cancer;
• Birth defects, such as oral clefts and neural tube defects.

The EPA has identified the following types of health effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure:

• Central nervous systems, including dizziness, confusion, headaches, euphoria, facial numbness, and weakness;
• Liver disorders;
• Kidney disorders;
• Immunological disorders;
• Endocrine system disorders;
• Developmental effects;
• Cancer, including liver, lung, kidney, testicular, lymphoma;
• Birth defects, including congenital health defects if a fetus has been exposed to the chemicals during early pregnancy.

Exposure to benzene has been linked to the following health defects:

• Leukemia, including myeloid leukemia and acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia;
• Other blood-related cancers, such as multiple myeloma and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma;
• Harm to bone marrow, such as anemia, low white blood cell count, low platelet count;
• Damage to reproductive organs, including shrinkage of the ovaries;
• Birth defects;

Studies have shown that benzene can pollute indoor air through vapor intrusion.

Exposure to vinyl chloride has been linked to all the following cancers:

• Brain cancer;
• Lung cancer;
• Hepatic angiosarcoma, which is a rare form of liver cancer;
• Leukemia;
• Lymphoma ;
• Miscarriages;
• Birth defects.

The New York Department of Health has linked the following health conditions to vinyl chloride exposure:

• Brain cancer;
• Hepatic angiosarcoma (a rare form of liver cancer);
• Lung cancer;
• Lymphoma;
• Birth defects;
• Leukemia;

Exposure to PFAs can result in a diagnosis of the following types of cancer:

• Bladder cancer;
• Prostate cancer;
• Testicular cancer;
• Kidney cancer.

The VA has promulgated a list of medical diagnoses that it presumes are connected to exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune. If you were located at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and you have a qualifying condition, the VA will presume the toxic water caused your condition. The following are 15 presumptive medical conditions for veterans or family members:

• Breast cancer;
• Esophageal cancer;
• Kidney cancer;
• Scleroderma;
• Female infertility;
• Renal toxicity;
• Multiple myeloma;
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma;
• Bladder cancer;
• Lung cancer;
• Miscarriage;
• Hepatic steatosis;
• Myelodysplastic syndromes;
• Neurobehavioral effects.

Additionally, eight other conditions will presumptively qualify a person for disability compensation:

• Bladder cancer;
• Adult leukemia;
• Aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes;
• Liver cancer;
• Kidney cancer;
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma;
• Multiple myeloma;
• Parkinson’s disease.

If you have been diagnosed with a condition linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination that is not listed above, you might still be entitled to compensation. You have a right to pursue a compensation claim even if your specific condition is not listed. It is worth taking the time to discuss your case with an attorney. You do not want to lose your opportunity to pursue compensation for your expenses.

Facing a chronic health condition or devastating cancer diagnosis will impact your daily life and your future. The attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, have a proven track record of holding the federal government accountable. After carefully evaluating the facts of your case, we will help you understand whether you have a valid compensation claim.

Our attorneys will walk you through every step of the process. We have a proven track record of successfully obtaining compensation for our clients. As a veteran or family member exposed to toxic water, you now have a window of opportunity to receive justice and compensation through the Honoring Our PACT Act. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about how we can fight for you.