It has been more than 20 years since the contamination of Camp Lejeune water was first revealed. The contamination of the water supply at Camp Lejeune, located in the North Carolina town of Jacksonville, is one of the most famous government health and environmental scandals in the United States.
The water supply was contaminated between 1962 and 1987 with a number of different chemicals and solvents, including benzene, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and vinyl chloride. The contamination of the water supply at Camp Lejeune was linked to a number of contracted diseases, including cancer.
The contamination has been a major source of contention for many years. Several families of those who were exposed to the chemicals have hired a water contamination attorney to represent them. They’ve been fighting for compensation for years, despite the difficulty of proving causation and the fact that many of their claims have been rejected.
Sarcoma and Other Non-Malignant Tumors
One study found a statistically significant association between exposure to chemicals and sarcomas in women at Camp Lejeune. Sarcomas are rare tumors that may originate in any part of the body and tend to develop in osteosarcoma in children or osteosarcoma in adults (which are cancers of the bone).
Sarcomas:
- Osteosarcoma
- Ewing sarcoma
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Rhabdomyosarcoma osteogenic sarcoma
Other Non-Malignant Tumors:
- Ewing’s sarcoma
- Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
Non-Malignant Neoplasms
A study of those who were exposed to the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune found that there was an increased risk of non-malignant neoplasm (cancer) in those who were not exposed to the chemicals. Non-malignant neoplasms are a type of cancer that is not characterized by abnormal growth in the body or by abnormal cell division. The risk of non-malignant neoplasms was significantly increased among those who were exposed to the contaminated water.
Non-Malignant Neoplasms:
- Neuroblastoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Ewing’s sarcoma
Hodgkin’s Disease, Lymphoma, and Bladder Cancer
Although these cancers have been found in some Camp Lejeune residents who were not exposed to the contaminated water, there is insufficient evidence to show that they are related to exposure to chemicals in the water supply. Hodgkin’s disease is a type of cancer that affects the lymph nodes and certain white blood cells. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system and is associated with Hodgkin’s disease. Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that affects the tissues that line the bladder and is associated with Hodgkin’s disease. There is insufficient evidence to show that these cancers are related to exposure to chemicals in the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune.
Multiple Myeloma and Myelofibrosis
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects certain blood cells, including plasma cells and monocytes (cells that makeup part of the immune system). These cells are responsible for manufacturing antibodies (proteins that fight infection). Myelofibrosis is a type of cancer that affects certain blood cells, including myeloid cells. There was insufficient evidence to show that these cancers are related to exposure to chemicals in the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease
There is inadequate evidence to show that Alzheimer’s disease is a result of exposure to chemicals at Camp Lejeune. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that affects movement and other functions. There is insufficient evidence to show that Parkinson’s disease is a result of exposure to chemicals at Camp Lejeune.
Other Illnesses/Disorders Identified by EPA in the Lejeune Litigation File
Other illnesses/disorders were identified by EPA in its final report on the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Litigation. These illnesses/disorders are:
- Colorectal Cancer (CRC) (FDA) – This cancer was identified as being related to exposure to vinyl chloride at Camp Lejeune (see below). However, there was insufficient evidence to show that vinyl chloride was present in the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune during its use as a drinking water source. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that vinyl chloride contributed to CRC at Camp Lejeune. It should be noted, however, that there is some evidence that vinyl chloride may contribute to CRC by other routes. For example, vinyl chloride may be absorbed through inhalation and may also be present in cigarette smoke.
- Colon Cancer (CRC) – This cancer was identified as being related to exposure to vinyl chloride at Camp Lejeune (see above). However, there was insufficient evidence to show that vinyl chloride was present in the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune during its use as a drinking water source. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that vinyl chloride contributed to CRC at Camp Lejeune. It should be noted, however, that there is some evidence that vinyl chloride may contribute to CRC by other routes. For example, vinyl chloride may be absorbed through inhalation and may also be present in cigarette smoke.
- Lung Cancer (Lung) – This cancer was identified as being related to exposure to tetrachloroethylene at Camp Lejeune (see below). However, there was insufficient evidence to show that tetrachloroethylene was present in the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune during its use as a drinking water source. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that tetrachloroethylene contributed to Lung Cancer at Camp Lejeune. It should be noted, however, that there is some evidence that tetrachloroethylene may contribute to Lung Cancer by other routes. For example, tetrachloroethylene may be absorbed through inhalation and may also be present in cigarette smoke.
- Pancreatic Cancer – This cancer was identified as being related to exposure to vinyl chloride at Camp Lejeune (see above). However, there was insufficient evidence to show that vinyl chloride was present in the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune during its use as a drinking water source. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that vinyl chloride contributed to Pancreatic Cancer at Camp Lejeune. It should be noted, however, that there is some evidence that vinyl chloride may contribute to Pancreatic Cancer by other routes. For example, vinyl chloride may be absorbed through inhalation and may also be present in cigarette smoke.
- Prostate Cancer – This cancer was identified as being related to exposure to tetrachloroethylene at Camp Lejeune (see above). However, there was insufficient evidence to show that tetrachloroethylene was present in the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune during its use as a drinking water source. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that tetrachloroethylene contributed to Prostate Cancer at Camp Lejeune. It should be noted, however, that there is some evidence that tetrachloroethylene may contribute to Prostate Cancer by other routes. For example, tetrachloroethylene may be absorbed through inhalation and may also be present in cigarette smoke.
- Thyroid Cancer – This cancer was identified as being related to exposure to 1,1-dichloroethane at Camp Lejeune (see below). However, there was insufficient evidence to show that 1,1-dichloroethane was present in the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune during its use as a drinking water source. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that 1,1-dichloroethane contributed to Thyroid Cancer at Camp Lejeune. It should be noted, however, that there is some evidence that 1,1-dichloroethane may contribute to Thyroid Cancer by other routes.
The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit includes contracted diseases such as lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and thyroid cancer. Exposure to chemicals such as tetrachloroethylene and 1,1-dichloroethane has been linked to these diseases. However, it is still not clear whether these chemicals contributed directly to the development of these diseases.