The water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was contaminated for decades, starting in the early 1950s and continuing until the 1980s. The contamination came from industrial solvents and chemicals that leaked into the base’s drinking water supply. These chemicals came from on-base activities, including dry cleaning, degreasing heavy equipment, and waste disposal sites. The primary culprits were trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride.
What Chemicals Were Found in the Camp Lejeune Water?
Two chemicals caused most of the contamination: trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE), also called perchloroethylene. TCE was widely used as a metal degreaser for military vehicles and machinery. PCE was the standard solvent used by dry cleaners.
Benzene and vinyl chloride also appeared in the water supply. Benzene is a component of fuels and industrial solvents. Vinyl chloride forms when other chlorinated solvents break down in the environment. These four chemicals are the ones most often linked to the health problems studied in connection with Camp Lejeune.
How Did the Chemicals Get Into the Drinking Water?
The chemicals entered the groundwater through multiple pathways. The base had several waste disposal sites, including landfills and burn pits. Industrial solvents were dumped on the ground or into unlined pits. Over time, rain pushed these liquids down through the soil into the aquifer below.
Leaking underground storage tanks also contributed. Fuel tanks and solvent storage tanks corroded and leaked for years without detection. The contamination spread through the groundwater and reached the wells that supplied drinking water to housing, schools, and offices on the base.
The most heavily contaminated wells served the Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace water systems. Hadnot Point served the main base hospital and administrative areas. Tarawa Terrace was a family housing area. Both systems drew from the same contaminated aquifer.
When Did the Contamination Happen?
The contamination began in the early 1950s and continued into the 1980s. The Marine Corps first detected the chemicals in 1982 during routine water testing. The wells serving Hadnot Point were shut down in 1985 after testing confirmed high levels of contamination.
In 1984, the Tarawa Terrace system was found to contain PCE at levels far above the safety standard that existed at the time. The source was traced to a nearby off-base dry cleaner that had been operating since the 1950s. Its waste water seeped into the groundwater and migrated onto the base.
Some researchers believe contamination may have started earlier than the 1950s, but the evidence for earlier contamination is limited. The documented record clearly covers the 1950s through the 1980s.
What Health Conditions Are Linked to the Contaminated Water?
Studies have linked exposure to the contaminated water with several serious health conditions. The strongest evidence connects the water to certain cancers, including leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and bladder cancer. Research also links exposure to kidney cancer, liver cancer, and multiple myeloma.
Other conditions linked to the water include Parkinson’s disease, aplastic anemia, and myelodysplastic syndromes. These conditions affect the blood and bone marrow. The evidence for these links comes from studies of people who lived or worked on the base during the contamination period.
Not every person who drank the water developed these conditions. Many people were exposed and remained healthy. Risk depends on the duration and level of exposure, as well as individual factors that are not fully understood.
Who Was Exposed to the Contaminated Water?
Hundreds of thousands of people were exposed. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) estimates that up to one million people may have been exposed. This includes military service members, civilian employees, and family members who lived on the base.
Pregnant women and children were among those exposed. This has raised specific concerns about birth defects and developmental conditions. Studies have examined associations with neural tube defects, oral clefts, and childhood cancers, though the evidence for these specific outcomes is less consistent than for adult cancers.
The exposure period matters for anyone trying to determine if they qualify for health benefits. The relevant period for most claims is January 1, 1957 through December 31, 1987. People who lived, worked, or were born on the base during this window are considered exposed.
What Does the Research Actually Show?
The scientific evidence on Camp Lejeune comes from epidemiological studies conducted by federal agencies and independent researchers. The ATSDR conducted extensive studies on the exposed population. These studies found consistent associations between exposure and several cancers.
The evidence is strongest for leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and bladder cancer. Studies show a clear dose-response relationship, meaning people with longer or higher exposure had greater risk. This pattern strengthens the case that the chemicals caused the health problems.
For some conditions, the evidence is less clear. Studies on birth defects and reproductive outcomes have produced mixed results. Some studies show increased risk, while others do not. The research on these outcomes is ongoing.
No study has shown that everyone exposed became ill. Most exposed people did not develop these conditions. But the increased risk at the population level is real and measurable.
How Does the VA Handle Camp Lejeune Claims?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presumes that certain health conditions are related to Camp Lejeune water exposure. This means a veteran does not need to prove the water caused their condition. They only need to show they served on the base during the exposure period and have one of the listed conditions.
The VA has a list of presumptive conditions. These include the cancers and blood disorders mentioned earlier, plus Parkinson’s disease and several others. The list has expanded over time as new research has emerged.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 created a path for civilians to file claims as well. This includes family members and civilian employees who were exposed. The claims process has been complex and has faced administrative challenges, but the legal pathway exists.
Anyone who believes they were exposed should contact the VA or consult with a legal professional who handles these claims. The process requires documentation of time on base and a qualifying medical diagnosis.
What Should You Do If You Were Exposed?
If you lived or worked on Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you were likely exposed. The first step is to document your time on the base. Service records, housing records, and employment records all help establish your exposure period.
Talk to your doctor about your exposure history. Share what you know about the dates and duration of your time on base. Your doctor can help determine what screenings or monitoring may be appropriate based on your specific risk profile.
There is no blood test that can tell you if you were exposed decades ago. The chemicals leave the body within days or weeks. What matters for medical monitoring is your documented exposure history, not a current test result.
Stay informed about the claims process. The VA and the Department of Justice have published guidance for affected individuals. These resources change as the legal and administrative landscape evolves.
Is the Water Safe Now?
The contaminated wells were closed decades ago. The water systems at Camp Lejeune have been remediated, and the base now draws from sources that meet federal drinking water standards. The Marine Corps has spent significant resources on cleanup and monitoring.
Current water quality at the base is not the issue. The health concern is for people who were exposed during the contamination period. The chemicals that caused harm are no longer present in the base’s drinking water.
Groundwater contamination in the area remains under monitoring. Some contamination persists in the aquifer, but it does not affect the current drinking water supply. The base uses treated water from sources that are tested regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long were the Camp Lejeune water supplies contaminated?
The contamination lasted from the early 1950s until the 1980s. The contaminated wells were shut down in 1985.
Which cancers are linked to Camp Lejeune water?
Leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and liver cancer have the strongest links. Multiple myeloma and other blood disorders are also associated with exposure.
Can family members file Camp Lejeune claims?
Yes, family members who lived on the base during the exposure period can file claims under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This includes spouses and children, including those who were in the womb at the time.
Do I need to prove my illness was caused by the water?
For the VA’s presumptive conditions, no proof of causation is needed. You only need to show qualifying service on the base and a diagnosis of a listed condition.
